REESE  LIBRARY  ^ 


UNIVERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA. 


\^^ 


XXNIVEPSITY 


ELIAS   BOUDINOT 
From  Steel  Engraving  hy  St.  Memtn,  lyqS 


THE  LIFE 

PUBLIC  SERVICES,  ADDRESSES 
AND  LETTERS 

OF 

ELIAS  BOUDINOT,  LL.D. 

'      PRESIDENT  OF  THE  CONTINENTAL  CONGRESS 


EDITED   BY 


J.  J.  BOUDINOT 

MEMBER  OF  THE  NEW  JERSEY   HISTORICAL  SOCIETY 


IN   TWO  VOLUMES 
VOLUME   I. 


<;xjniversitt) 


I^^H 

^^^^ 

^^m. 

BOSTON   AND    NEW  YORK 
HOUGHTON,  MIFFLIN  AND   COMPANY 

1896 


Copyright,  1896, 
By  J.  J.  BOUDINOT. 

All  rights  reserved. 


The  Riverside  Press,  Camhridge,  Mass.,  U.  S.  A. 
Electrotyped  and  Printed  by  H.  O.  Houghton  and  Company. 


(■     r'T    KT  T  Tr  -n  -r-  r-  -r  rr 


V  N I V  r  R 


PREFACE. 

Lapse  of  time  and  the  stirring  events  of  our 
Civil  War  have  thrown  somewhat  into  shade 
our  patriot  fathers,  with  the  exception  of  the 
one  colossal  figure  looming  above  the  later  trou- 
bled sea  of  strife  and  war,  the  light  of  whose 
patriotism  has  pierced  all  misty  shadows  of  the 
past,  and  whose  name  is  a  watchword  for  all  that 
is  grand  and  noble.  The  spell  of  that  great  name 
we  invoke  to  bid  "  come  again,  ye  children  of 
men,"  and  marshal  before  us  his  faithful  followers 
and  co-workers. 

Elias  Boudinot  was  one  of  these,  the  friend  of 
Washington,  an  ardent  patriot  and  philanthropist, 
resolute  and  earnest,  of  strong  intellectual  fibre ; 
he  gave  the  greater  part  of  a  long  life  to  the  ser- 
vice of  his  country. 

Be  it  ever  remembered  that  these  men  w^ere 
treading  a  new  and  untried  path,  leading  and 
legislating  for  a  new  order  of  things.  To  all  of 
them,  as  time  yields  us  more  and  more  of  their 
records,  do  we  ow^e  our  homage. 

The  purpose  of  this  volume  is  to  place  before 
the  reader  the  services,  speeches,  and  letters  of 
Elias  Boudinot,  in  such    chronological  sequence 


IV  PREFACE. 

that  they  shall  for  themselves  tell  the  history  of 
his  life. 

It  is  to  be  regretted  that  often  in  the  early 
period  of  our  national  existence  our  fathers  failed 
to  realize  what  a  precious  heritage  for  us  would 
be  the  letters  to  and  from  these  great  men. 
Though  many  were  preserved,  many  have  been 
destroyed  or  lost,  some  given  away,  and  others 
stolen ;  the  latter  was  the  case  with  some  of  the 
most  valuable  of  those  of  Elias  Boudinot,  such 
having  found  their  way  into  the  dealers'  hands, 
and  their  marketable  value  is  slowly  bringing 
them  to  light. 

Mr.  Boudinot  himself  says :  "  A  great  many 
interesting  anecdotes  that  happened  during  the 
American  Revolutionary  War  are  likely  to  be  lost 
to  posterity  by  the  negligence  of  the  Parties  con- 
cerned in  not  recording  them,  so  that  in  future 
time  they  may  be  resorted  to  as  throwing  light 
on  the  eventful  crisis  of  this  important  Era.  I 
shall  therefore,  without  any  attention  to  order, 
but  merely  as  they  arise  in  my  memory,  set  down 
those  that  I  have  had  any  acquaintance  wdth, 
attending  principally  to  the  Truth  of  the  Fact." 

When  it  is  remembered  that  these  accounts  of 
Mr.  Boudinot  were  written  chiefly  from  personal 
observation,  or  participation  in  the  events  re- 
corded, and,  even  when  he  was  not  himself  an  actor 
in  the  scene,  he  reflects  the  feelings  and  views  of 


•  PREFACE.  V 

those  who  were,  an  added  zest  is  given  to  the  nar- 
rative. Corroboration  of  the  main  facts,  with  later 
accounts  culled  from  various  sources,  and  the 
absolute  integrity  of  the  writer,  give  a  verisimili- 
tude to  the  whole,  even  though  it  apparently  dif- 
fers in  some  details  from  accepted  versions. 

There  is  also  evidence  that  these  Reminis- 
cences were  written  while  Mr.  Boudinot  was  still 
in  the  vigor  of  manhood,  and  not  at  all  in  declining 
years,  when  age  and  illness  might  have  impaired 
his  memory.  Many  of  his  official  letters  as  Presi- 
dent of  the  Continental  Congress  are  in  the  De- 
partment of  State  at  Washington,  where  with 
courtesy  those  in  charge  welcome  the  student  of 
history  with  intelligent  helpfulness. 

I  am  indebted  to  the  Historical  Society  of 
Pennsylvania  for  copies  of  valuable  documents; 
to  Justin  Winsor,  Esq.,  Librarian  of  Harvard  Col- 
lege Library,  for  access  to  Jared  Sparks'  manu- 
script collection;  to  Charles  Roberts,  Esq.,  of 
Philadelphia,  for  copies  of  letters  from  his  manu- 
script collection ;  to  John  Nicholas  Brown,  Esq., 
of  Providence,  R.  L,  for  permission  to  copy  from 
"  The  Reminiscences  "  written  by  Elias  Boudinot, 
which  are  in  his  valuable  collection  of  Americana; 
for  Mr.  Boudinot's  letter  book  to  Boudinot  Keith, 
Esq.,  of  New  York  ;  for  copies  of  records  from 
Marans,  France,  to  M.  Louis  de  Richemond, 
Archiviste  du  Departement,  Corresp.  du  Ministere 


VI  PREFACE.  "    ■ 

Trav.  Histor.  La  Rochelle ;  for  the  "  Proces  Ver- 
bal," to  the  Rev.  W.  W.  Atterbury,  of  'New  York, 
and  for  family  letters  other  than  my  own  and 
those  of  my  brother,  W.  B.  S.  Boudinot,  Esq.  I 
am  under  obligations  to  Boudinot  Colt,  Esq.,  of 
Newark,  N.  J.;  to  General  William  S.  Stryker, 
of  Trenton,  N.  J.;  to  Mrs.  Edwin  A.  Stevens,  of 
Castle  Point,  Hoboken,  N.  J.;  to  J.  Turner 
Atterbury,  Esq.,  of  New  York ;  and  to  the  Hon. 
Garret  D.  W.  Vroom,  of  Trenton,  N.  J.  I  am 
also  indebted  to  the  courtesy  of  William  Nelson, 
Esq.,  of  Paterson,  N.  J. 

Jane  J.  Boudinot. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER   I. 

State  of  New  Jersey  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution.  —  Recalled 
in  petition  to  Congress  in  1840,  from  trustees  of  the  First  Presby- 
terian Church.  —  Elias  Boudinot  one  of  the  Committee  of  Corre- 
spondence for  Essex  County,  N.  J.,  nth  June,  1774.  —  Resolutions. 
—  Other  counties.  —  Elias  Boudinot  member  of  a  committee  ap- 
pointed by  Provincial  Congress,  May  2,  1775.  —  Advice  of  same.  — 
Elias  Boudinot  deputy  to  Provincial  Congress,  May,  June,  and 
August,  1775.  —  Is  sent  with  William  Peartree  Smith  to  Conti- 
nental Congress  for  directions.  —  Extract  of  letter  from  Governor 
Franklin  to  Joseph  Galloway.  —  Copy  of  "Alarm"  from  Water- 
town.  —  Powder  sent  to  Boston.  —  Chairman  of  secret  committee 
deserted  to  the  enemy.  —  Gave  information.  —  William  Living- 
ston elected  governor  and  brigadier-general ;  Elias  Boudinot,  aid- 
de-camp.  —  Letter  of  Lord  Stirling  regarding  confinement  of 
Governor  Franklin  in  Mr.  Boudinot's  House.  —  Extract  from 
Elias  Boudinot's  Reminiscences.  —  Relates  debate  with  Rev.  John 
Witherspoon.  —  Speech  in  First  Provincial  Congress.  —  Allusion 
to  ancestor  under  Louis  XIV i 

CHAPTER   IL 

Mr.  Boudinot's  law  studies.  —  Dr.  Cannon's  recollections  of  the  two 
Boudinot  brothers  as  related  by  Mr.  Justice  Bradley.  —  Election  of 
Judge  Elisha  Boudinot.  —  William  Peartree  Smith.  —  Boudinot 
ancestors.  —  Elie  Boudinot,  the  first  in  this  country.  —  One  of  the 
founders  of  the  French  Church  in  New  York.  —  Protest  to  Lieu- 
tenant-Governor Leisler.  —  His  lands  in  the  Jerseys.  —  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot's marriage  to  Hannah  Stockton.  —  Annis  Boudinot,  Mrs. 
Stockton.  —  Pintards.  —  Annis  Stockton  conceals  papers  from  the 
British.  —  Her  correspondence  with  Washington.  —  Elisha  Boudi- 
not. —  His  marriages.  —  William  Peartree  Smith.  —  Nathan  Hale 
confined  in  Beekman  House.  —  Elisha  Boudinot's  letters  relating 
to  early  movements  of  the  Revolution.  —  Commissary  of  Prisoners 
for  New  Jersey.  —  Essex  County  Committee  of  ladies.  —  Female 
Charitable  Society.  —  Elisha  Boudinot's  house  in  Newark     ...     23 


viii  CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER  HI. 

Respecting  prisoners  captured  by  the  British.  —  General  Washington 
requests  Mr.  Boudinot  to  accept  a  commission  as  commissary-gen- 
eral of  prisoners.  —  Resolution  of  Congress  granting  the  same. — 
Exertions  of  Mr.  Boudinot  to  obtain  supplies  for  prisoners.  —  Sup- 
plies funds.  —  General  Washington  tells  him  he  will  share  losses.  — 
Resolves  of  Congress  to  issue  warrants  in  favor  of  Elias  Boudinot 
for  sums  borrowed  of  him.  —  Mr.  Loring  to  General  Washington, 
on  distress  of  prisoners  in  New  York,  April- 24,  1777.  —  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot to  Richard  Peters,  Esq.,  regarding  prisoners.  —  Enemy  re- 
treating to  Brunswick.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Governor  Livingston, 
informing  him  of  the  movement  of  the  army.  —  Harassing  British 
army  in  retreat.  —  Surprise  of  General  Lincoln  at  Bound  Brook.  — 
Commissary  Loring  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  4th  July.  —  Removal  of 
family  from  Elizabethtown  to  Baskingridge.  —  Daughter  Susan  : 
anecdotes  relating  to  her  childhood.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  from  camp 
near  New  Windsor  to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Washington  watching  the 
enemy,  undecided  as  to  their  destination.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mrs. 
Boudinot  from  Philadelphia,  September  12.  —  Battle  of  Brandy- 
wine.  —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot  from  headquarters  at  Germantown,  Sep- 
tember 4.  —  From  camp  near  Schuylkill,  September  23.  —  Same 
day  Potts  Grove.  —  The  enemy  on  the  move  up  Schuylkill.  —  Mr. 
Jeremiah  Wadsworth  to  Mr.  Boudinot 40 

CHAPTER   IV. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Awaiting  remonstrance  sent  to 
General  Howe  regarding  treatment  of  prisoners.  —  Fate  of  Red 
Bank  Fort.  —  Greene's  reinforcements  not  arrived.  —  The  enemy 
burning  all  before  them.  —  Burned  town  of  Woodbury.  —  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot to  his  daughter,  dated  from  Camp  White  Marsh,  recom- 
mends Scripture  reading,  sends  parody  song. —  Wishes  her  to  have 
more  instruction  in  music.  —  November  30,  to  Mrs.  Boudinot. — 
Set  off  on  journey,  recalled  by  letter  from  General  Howe.  —  Troops 
on  Jersey  side  endeavored  to  draw  Lord  Cornwallis  to  battle ;  he 
retired.  —  After  skirmish  returned  to  Philadelphia. —  Storm. —  Re- 
connoitring along  the  line  near  Philadelphia  old  woman  conveys 
information  secretly.  —  Washington  proves  him  wrong  in  his  sur- 
mise as  to  the  movement  of  enemy.  —  Speeches  of  committee  from 
Congress  relative  to  attacking  the  British.  —  Washington's  in- 
tended move  against  his  judgment.  —  A  spy  conveyed  the  infor- 
mation. —  British  retire.  —  Extract  from  Sparks'  "  Washington." 
—  Another  providential  escape  of  our  army.  —  Washington's  ruse 
to  mislead  the  spy.  —  Letter  from  Valley  Forge  regarding  election 


CONTENTS.  IX 

to  Congress.  —  Hymn.  —  Cartel  for  exchange  of  prisoners.  —  Com- 
missioners to  meet  at  Germantown.  —  American  Colonels  Hamil- 
ton, Harrison,  Grayson,  Boudinot ;  British  Colonels  O'Harah, 
Stevens,  and  Captain  Fitz  Patrick.  —  Meeting  of  general  officers  to 
discuss  the  business  beforehand.  —  Committee  from  Congress.  — 
Sentiments  against  exchange.  —  Insulting  resolutions  of  Congress 
expunged  from  the  minutes.  —  Meeting  of  commissioners. — British 
commissioners  go  to  the  city  to  attend  a  ball.  —  Return.  —  Breach 
of  faith.  —  British  commissioners  endeavor  to  free  themselves 
from  blame.  — Defective  powers.  —  Concerning  Colonels  O'Harah 
and  Hamilton,  —  Draft  of  part  of  a  letter  by  commissioners  from 
Moor  Hall 63 

CHAPTER   V. 

Account  of  treatment  of  prisoners  in  Philadelphia,  winter  of  1777-78, 

—  British  officer  remonstrates.  —  Washington  threatens  retaliation. 

—  All  blankets  ordered  into  king's  stores.  —  American  agent  buys 
up  all  the  flannel  and  has  blankets  made.  —  Orders  to  prevent 
supplies  to  British  within  our  lines.  —  Commissary  Loring  to  Mr. 
Boudinot,  —  Permission  to  come  to  New  York.  —  Mr.  Boudinot 
goes  on  February  3,  1778. — Difficulty  in  landing.  —  Threatens  to 
return.  —  Officer  sent  to  him.  —  Conveyed  to  Commissary  Loring's 
quarters.  —  Courteously  received. —  Lodgings.  —  Examines  pris- 
oners with  British  officer.  —  Proves  cruelty.  —  Colonel  Ethan  Allen.  ' 

—  Political  conversation  with  General  Robertson.  —  Offer  of  re- 
ward for  bringing  about  a  peace.  —  Crime  of  Frenchman  .     .     ,     .     84 

CHAPTER   VI. 

Letter  to  Mrs.  Boudinot  from  Valley  Forge,  March  4,  1778,  —  Dan- 
gerous journey  back,  —  Mrs.  Washington.  —  Weather  bitter.  — 
Misses  his  bed;  lays  upon  blankets.  —  Asks  for  rusk,  etc.  —  March 
II,  to  his  wife.  —  Appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  for  settling 
exchange  of  prisoners,  to  meet  at  Germantown. —  March  15,  writes 
again,  deplores  absence  from  home  and  the  unnatural  war.  —  Gen- 
eral Washington  and  officers  remonstrate  against  his  leaving  the 
army,  while  seeing  the  necessity  for  his  going  to  Congress.  — 
March  27,  just  returned  from  consulting  with  commissioners.  — 
Deplores  Susan's  negligence  in  writing.  —  Intelligence  of  French 
merchantmen  under  convoy  at  the  Carolinas.  —  Our  vessels  at  Mar- 
tinique.—  Commissary  Loring  to  Mr.  Boudinot. —  Mr.  Boudinot  to 
Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Preparing  for  home.  —  News  from  England.  — 
Temple  Luttrel's  speech.  —  April  17,  hopes  to  finish  his  business 
next  week.  —  Anxiety  to  join  his  wife.  —  Mrs.  Washington  wishes 


X  CONTENTS. 

for  her.  —  His  daughter's  expostulation  with  British  officer.  —  Ar- 
rived at  home. —  Writes  to  General  Washington,  May  13,  from 
Baskingridge.  —  Had  been  to  Morris  Town,  and  with  Colonel 
Campbell  to  New  York. — Major-General  Daniel  Jones  and  Gen- 
eral Valentine  Jones  will  relieve  prisoners.  —  Colonel  Campbell's 
interest  in  the  business.  —  Exchanged  prisoners  anxious  for  employ- 
ment.—  Mr.  Boudinot  engaged  on  accounts.  —  Letters  from  Gen- 
eral Washington,  requesting  his  immediate  presence  at  camp  on 
account  of  general  exchange  of  prisoners.  —  Colonel  Francis  John- 
son to  succeed  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Refuses  appointment.  —  Major 
Beaty  nominated  in  his  place.  —  Commissary  Loring  to  Colonel 
Hamilton 104 

CHAPTER   VII. 

June,  1778,  appointed  to  meet  General  Robertson,  British  commis- 
sioner for  exchange  of  Hessian  prisoners.  —  Conversation  with 
General  Robertson  regarding  peace.  —  Offer  of  dukedom  to  ten 
thousand  sterling.  —  Emoluments  held  out  to  Joseph  Reed.  —  Let- 
ter to  Mrs.  Boudinot,  June  10.  —  Arrival  of  French  fleet  with 
French  ambassador  and  Silas  Deane.  —  English  frigate  taken. — 
War  declared  in  England  against  France. —  June  11,  return  from 
second  jaunt  to  Germantown.  —  Enemy  to  evacuate  Philadelphia. 

—  Surmise  as  to  their  further  movements.  —  English  commissioner 
to  Congress.  —  Condition  of  inhabitants,  of  city  hospital  stores.  — 
Should  go  into  the  city,  then  set  off  for  Yorktown.  —  Ribbon  for 
his  hair.  —  Snuff  box  with  Washington's  head  in  relief.  —  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot to  General  Freidrell  regarding  exchange  of  prisoners.  —  To 
Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Expecting  enemy  to  leave  the  city  every  moment. 

—  Marquis  La  Fayette  and  Baron  Steuben  have  letters  from  France. 

—  France  receives  American  ambassadors.  —  English  take  Amer- 
ican vessel  on  French  coast.  —  Demanded  by  France.  —  Action  of 
king  on  refusal.  —  European  combats.  —  Commissary  Loring  to  Mr. 
Boudinot.  —  Note  on  his  letter.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Wash- 
ington. —  Reports  marching  of  British  army.  —  Violation  of  agree- 
ment as  to  exchange  of  prisoners.  —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot  from 
Philadelphia.  —  Enemy  gone  off.  —  General  Robinson's  promise  to 
protect  Mr.  Stockton's  and  Mrs.  Noel's  homes.  —  To  General 
Washington,  June  20,  11  o'clock. —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Anxiety 

for  her,  being  in  the  route  of  the  army 124 

CHAPTER  Vni. 

Exchange  of  General  Charles  Lee.— Taken  at  Baskingridge.  —  Sent 
to  New  York.  —  Requests  a  committee  of  Congress  sent  to  him. — 


CONTENTS.  XI 

Breakfast  with  him  in  New  York.  —  Lee  reads  his  manuscript  to 
Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Negotiates  for  Lee's  exchange.  —  Sent  to  Phila- 
delphia.—  Is  there  exchanged.  —  Received  with  miUtary  honors.  — 
Dines  with  Mrs.  Washington  at  headquarters.  —  Passes  the  night 
at  headquarters.  —  Given  command  of  the  right  wing  of  the  army. 

—  Goes  to  Congress.  —  Abuses  Washington. —  Intrigues. —  Dis- 
graceful conduct  at  Freehold.  —  Hamilton's  view  of  Washington, 
Greene,  and  Lord  Stirling 139 

CHAPTER   IX. 

Election- to  Congress. — Writes  to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Lodging  at  Mrs. 
Thomas  Franklin's.  —  Of  Monmouth.  —  Incloses  letter  from  Gen- 
eral Washington.  —  July  9,  great  heat.  —  News  of  French  fleet  on 
our  coast.  —  English  fleet  following.  —  Indians  cut  off  Wyoming 
settlement.  —  Illness.  —  Longs  to  retire.  —  Visit  from  French  min- 
ister. —  Colonel  Hamilton  to  Mr.  Boudinot  concerning  Baron 
Steuben.  —  Settlement  of  Mr.  Boudinot's  accounts.  —  Letter  to 
Mrs.  Boudinot,  describing  reception  of  French  minister.  —  Lord 
Howe's  fleet  at  Rhode  Island.  —  Count  d'Estaing.  —  General 
Sullivan 151 

CHAPTER   X. 

Friendship  with  Hamilton.  —  Mr.  Boudinot's  defense  of  Hamilton.  — 
Hamilton  on  Sullivan.  —  Greene  and  Laurens.  —  Distinguished 
French  gentlemen.  —  Mr.  Toussard.  —  Mr.  William  Peartree  Smith 
to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Views  of  state  of  the  country.  —  Son  Belcher. 

—  Reference  to  his  daughter's  engagement.  —  Mr.  Boudinot's 
reply.  —  Anxiously  expecting  news  from  Rhode  Island.  —  Expira- 
tion of  term. —  Joins  his  family  at  Baskingridge. —  Community  there. 

—  General  Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  — Acknowledges  a  com- 
position of  his  sister.  — 1779,  hopes  to  see  him  with  Mrs.  Boudinot 
and  Miss  Boudinot  at  Middle  Brook.  —  From  Philadelphia  writes 
to  Mrs.  Boudinot,  March  5,  1779.  —  Hears  his  house  has  been 
burned  by  British  ;  does  not  believe  it.  —  "  Powers  of  Europe  all  in 
our  favour."  —  Burgomasters  acknowledge  independence.  —  Spain 
on  our  side.  —  Empress  of  Russia  refuses  aid  to  England.  —  The 
town  increasing  in  extravagance.  —  Depreciation  of  money.  —  To 
Mrs.  Boudinot,  April  6th.  —  Offer  of  remunerative  oflice.  —  General 
Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  To  arrange  for  information  from 
the  enemy.  —  Describes  a  liquid  for  conveying    secret  intelligence. 

—  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington  regarding  designs  of  the 
enemy.  — -^Report  of  condition  about  New  York.  —  General  Wash- 
ington to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington, 


xii  CONTENTS. 

1780.  —  Rev.  James  Caldwell,  patriot  chaplain  and  commissary, 
shot.  —  Mrs.  Caldwell  shot.  —  Children  cared  for.  —  Mr.  Boudinot 
to  Major-General  Phillips 164 

CHAPTER   XI. 

Capture  of  Andre.  —  Silas  Deane.  —  To  General  Washington  from 
Baskingridge.  —  Sends  express.  —  Revolt  of  Pennsylvania  line.  — 
His  daughter  goes  to  Philadelphia.  —  Letters  to  her.  —  Mrs.  Rush 
to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Elected  to  Congress.  —  Letter  to  Hon.  John 
Stevens.  —  To  Doctor  Scudder.  —  To  General  Washington.  —  In- 
formation regarding  shipping  at  New  York.  —  Mrs.  Washington's 
illness 192 

CHAPTER   XII. 

To  Hon.  John  Stevens  from  Philadelphia,  regarding  seat  in  Congress. 

—  To  Hon.  Peter  Wilson,  regarding  seat.  —  Flattering  aspect  of 
affairs.  —  Urges  completion  of  levies  for  the  army.  —  Asks  for 
views  on  Vermont.  —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Difficulty  of  getting 
lodgings.  —  Refugees  from  Georgia  and  Carolina.  —  Retreat  of 
Cornwallis.  —  The  Marquis  refreshing  troops  and  covering  country. 

—  America  requires  great  abilities.  —  To  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot. — 
General  Greene's  well-judged  manoeuvres.  —  Raises  siege  of  Ninety- 
six.  —  Lord  Rawdon  abandons  his  posts.  —  Captain  Eggleston  cap- 
tures enemy's  cavalry.  —  Vessels  at  Cadiz.  —  Meeting  of  English 
troops  at  Carolina.  —  To  Governor  Livingston.  —  Alarm  for  the 
city.  —  Monsieur  de  Barras  takes  forty-four  gun-ships,  two  frigates, 
and  transports.  —  To  Governor  Livingston.  —  The  enemy  carry  on 
secret  correspondence  by  pedlars.  —  Regarding  his  reelection.  — 
Siege  of  Yorktown  accidental.  —  Stedman.  —  Irving.  —  De  Grasse 
and  siege  of  Yorktown. —  Capitulation. —  Hidden  letter  to  Corn- 
wallis.—  Washington's  letter  to  De  Grasse.  —  Lafayette's  narrative  214 

CHAPTER   XIII. 

Lord  Cornwallis'  cruelty.  —  Motion  by  Mr.  Middleton  in  Congress. — 
Debates  thereon.  —  Letters  to  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot.  —  Count  de 
Grasse  takes  St.  Kitts.  —  Little  prospect  of  peace.  —  Measure 
adopted  by  England.  —  Distress  at  the  inactivity  of  states.  —  Intel- 
ligence from  St.  Croix.  —  Surrender  of  Brimstone  Hill.  —  Com- 
pares French  and  English  principles  of  war.  —  Captain  Huddy 
hanged.  —  Retaliation.  —  Case  of  Captain  Asgill,  son  of  Sir 
Charles.  —  Congress  orders  his  execution.  —  Earnest  debate.  — 
Letters  from  the  commander-in-chief,  king  and  queen  of  France,  and 


CONTENTS.  Xlll 

Lady  Asgill.  —  Life  of  Captain  Asgill  given  to  king  of  France. — 
False  accounts  allowed  by  Asgill.  —  Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  benev- 
olent and  honorable.  —  Letter  from  De  Vergennes  to  General 
Washington.  —  Washington's  reply.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  his  daugh- 
ter.—  Advice. —  Commercial  misfortunes  of  the  capital.  —  French 
nobility  lose  their  finery.  —  To  Governor  Livingston;  writes  for 
Legislature's  instructions  on  New  Hampshire  grants.  —  To  his 
daughter,  on  her  "  launching  into  life  " 242 

CHAPTER   XIV. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mrs.  Boudinot,  on  taking  the  President's  chair.  — 
Directions  for  settling  their  affairs,  and  what  to  bring.  —  Anxious 
for  her  arrival.  —  To  Hon.  John  Hanson,  Esq.  —  To  his  brother ; 
congratulations.  —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot ;  when  to  start  for  Phila- 
delphia. —  Reports  of  Committee  on  Household  Expenses  of 
President.  —  To  Mr.  Robert  Morris  regarding  coach.  —  To  Gen. 
Washington ;  his  pleasure  in  corresponding ;  honored  by  congratu- 
lations; Osgood's  deposition. — To  Hon.  George  Read;  presents 
commission  as  Judge  of  Court  of  Appeals.  —  To  Governor  of 
Rhode  Island  ;  duty  on  imports  ;  sends  deputation  to  explain  situa- 
tion ;  propose  to  procure  loans  abroad.  —  To  General  Washington ; 
letters  from  agent  at  Cadiz  ;  evacuation  of  Charlestown ;  incloses 
letter  to  Thomas  Chittendon,  Esq.,  with  resolutions  of  Congress ; 
embarkation  from  New  York.  —  To  Hon.  John  Lowell,  Esq.,  in- 
closing commission  as  judge 263 

CHAPTER   XV. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot.  —  Frigate  from  France.  — 
Brings  dispatches.  —  Great  Britain  sends  Mr.  Oswald  to  Paris  to 
treat  with  commissioners.  —  Commissioners  refused  to  treat  as  thir- 
teen colonies.  —  Treat  as  an  independent  nation.  —  Asiatic  accounts 
of  Madras  being  taken  by  the  French.  —  Treaty  of  commerce.  — 
Wants  particulars  of  state  of  things  in  New  York.  —  General 
Washington  to  his  Excellency  Elias  Boudinot.  —  Subscription  for 
Rev.  Mr.  Caldwell's  children.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washing- 
ton. —  Congratulations  on  independency  acknowledged  by  Great 
Britain.  —  Sends  copy  of  commission.  —  Treaty  of  commerce.  — 
Foreign  opinion  that  Charlestown  and  New  York  will  be  evacuated 
in  the  fall.  —  Arrival  of  General  du  Portail.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to 
Major-General  du  Portail.  —  Approval  of  Congress.  —  Mr.  Boudi- 
not to  Count  de  Rochambeau.  —  Approbation  of  Congress.  — 
Wishes  for  prosperous  voyage.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Brigadier-Gen- 
eral  Dayton.  —  Congratulations  on  promotion.  —  Evacuation  of 


T^ 


CAUFOf{H\f^- 


XIV  CONTENTS. 

Charlestown.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington.  —  Receipt 
from  Mr.  Chittendon.  —  Copy  of  official  letter  from  General  Greene 
announcing  evacuation  of  Charlestown.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Major- 
General  Lincoln  on  time  of  returning,  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General 
Washington  on  death  of  Lord  Stirling. —  Business  relative  to  Ver- 
mont. —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington.  —  His  letter  laid 
before  Congress 280 

CHAPTER   XVL 

Arrival  of  the  Washington  packet.  —  Brings  budget  of  intelligence. 

—  Short  compendium  of  political  situation,  by  Mr.  Boudinot  to 
Washington,  March  17.  —  England's  change  of  ministers.  —  Propo- 
sition of  separate  peace.  —  Attitude  of  France.  —  Independence.  — 
Boundaries.  —  Fisheries. —  The  Tories.  —  Suspicions  of  the  court 
of  France.  —  Provisional  articles  of  peace.  —  Count  de  Vergennes 
surprised.  —  Delay  in  negotiations  on  the  part  of  other  belligerent 
powers.  —  Interest  of  England  to  ratify  treaty.  —  Harmony  between 
commissioners.  —  Six  millions  instead  of  twenty  obtained  from 
France.  —  "The  Washington,"  first  vessel  with  English  passport. 

—  Embarrassed  situation  of  Congress  as  to  finances.  —  Mr.  Morris 
resigned.  —  Etiquette  in  France.  —  Situation  of  army.  —  King  of 
France  off  ended  with  commissioners.  —  Note  of  Mr.  John  Fiske. — 
Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington,  congratulates  him  and  the 
army  on  the  definitive  treaty  of  peace. —  Dispatches  from  Com te 
d'Estaing  and  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette.  —  Hostilities  ceased  in 
Europe.  —  Commutation  of  the  half  pay  to  the  army  by  nine  States. 

—  General  Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Thanks  for  his  letter 
of  the  17th.  —  Begs  a  continuance.  —  Congratulatory  letter  of  Mr. 
Elisha  Boudinot.  —  General  Washington's  reply.  —  An  ode,  by  Mr. 
William  Peartree  Smith.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Honorable  James 
Robinson.  —  Lord  Drummond.  —  His  estate.  —  Confiscations. — 
Announcement  of  peace  between  all  beUigerent  powers.  —  Express 

to  General  Carleton 292 

CHAPTER   XVII. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  Hon.  John  Hanson ;  congratulations  on  cessation 
of  all  hostilities ;  false  reports  of  Mr.  Hanson's  death ;  Sir  Guy 
Carleton  sent  king's  proclamation  ;  shall  proclaim  cessation  on  our 
part  to-morrow.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Major-General  the  Marquis  de 
Lafayette ;  joy  in  America  at  happy  issue  of  negotiations  ;  his  early 
intelligence  saved  mercantile  interests ;  hopes  for  consolidation  of 
the  Union  and  perfecting  of  government;  Congress  sensible  of 
obliging  conduct  of  Comte  d'Estaing ;  Admiral  Digby  considered 


CONTENTS.  XV 

it  a  design  to  mislead  ;  incloses  copy  of  vote  of  Congress  in  favor 
of  Comte  de  Rochambeau ;  wishes  to  know  why  the  Comte  left 
America  without  the  least  notice  of  it ;  adds  proceedings  in  the 
army ;  terms  of  peace  satisfactory  except  time  for  American  mer- 
chants to  pay  their  English  debts  ;  no  time  mentioned ;  must  have 
three  or  four  years.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington,  in- 
closing act  of  Congress  on  cessation  of  hostilities.  —  Mr.  Boudinot 
to  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot,  on  birth  of  a  daughter.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to 
Comte  de  Grasse,  on  transmission  of  two  field  pieces.  —  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot to  Doctor  Franklin  ;  introduces  Colonel  Ogden  ;  terms  of 
peace  ;  payments  of  English  debts.  —  Circular  to  governors  of 
states  on  establishing  hterary  property.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mr. 
Oliver  Pollock,  regarding  portrait  of  Doctor  Bernando  de  Galvez. 
—  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington;  incloses  copy  from  two 
letters  of  Mr.  Laurens.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  the  Ministers  Plenipo- 
tentiary; Mr.  Livingston  resigned  as  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs; 
surprise  at  delay  of  letters.  —  To  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin;  busi- 
ness of  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs  cast  upon  Mr.  Boudinot ;  writes 
in  cipher.  —  Letter  inclosing  two  medals  received;  British  retention 
of  New  York.  —  General  Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  anxious 
for  retirement ;  army  arrangements.  —  Mrs.  Washington  on  jaunt 
.  to  Esopus  with  Governor  and  Mrs.  Clinton  . 313 

CHAPTER   XVni. 

Mutiny  of  Pennsylvania  troops.  —  Resolution  of  Congress.  —  Hamil- 
ton, chairman  of  committee.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washing- 
ton ;  tells  details  of  mutiny ;  wish  of  members  for  protection ; 
proclamation.  —  Letter  of  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot, 
on  mutiny.  — General  Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot;  sends  forward 
troops.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington  ;  reasons  for  leav- 
ing Philadelphia.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington  ;  intro- 
ducing Count  Del  Verme.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Doctor  William 
Burnet ;  thanks  of  Congress  to  citizens  of  Newark.  —  To  Colonel 
Joseph  Phillips  on  address  of  officers  of  militia  of  Hunterdon,  Mid- 
dlesex, and  Somerset  Counties.  —  To  Thomas  Willing,  Esq.,  on 
address  of  citizens  of  Philadelphia.  —  To  General  Washington  ;  a 
summons  to  appear  before  Congress  to  aid  in  peace  arrange- 
ments. —  To  Sir  Guy  Carleton  on  counterfeiters.  —  To  General 
Washington,  regarding  his  presence  in  Congress;  delay  of  treaty; 
house  to  be  taken  for  Washington.  —  To  General  Washington  on 
proposed  address  to  him  by  Congress.  —  General  Washington's 
reply.  —  To  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin.  —  Received  letter  inclosing 
treaty  with  Sweden.  —  Ratification  retarded  for  want  of  more  states 
present.  —  Accomplished  and  sent  for  exchange.  —  Impropriety  of 


XVI  CONTENTS. 

title  United  States  of  North  America  and  three  lower  counties  on 
Delaware.  —  Resolve  empowering  change.  —  Silence  of  commis- 
sioners. —  Reason  for  removal  of  Congress  given  in  letter  of  July 
15.  —  To  inhabitants  of  New  Brunswick  ;  reply  to  their  address.  — 
To  General  Washington  ;  illness  of  Mrs.  Washington.  —  Received 
letters  from  Mr.  Laurens ;  had  seen  Mr.  Fox ;  doubts  as  to  powers ; 
Mr.  Hartley  without  full  powers  ;  Mr.  Laurens  in  London  ;  begs 
cannon  for  Comte  de  Grasse.  —  Sir  Guy  Carleton  to  evacuate 
New  York 329 

CHAPTER   XIX. 

Congress  holds  an  audience  for  congratulating  General  Washington 
on  the  termination  of  the  war,  and  to  consult  on  peace  arrange- 
ments. —  Speech  of  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington.  —  Gen- 
eral Washington's  reply.  —  Hon.  John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot ; 
time  appointed  for  signing  treaties  of  peace ;  provisional  articles 
with  preamble  making  definitive  treaty  ;  expecting  his  recall ;  rec- 
ommends Mr.  Thaxter.  —  Hon.  John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot; 
American  ministers  met  British  minister,  signed  definitive  treaty; 
repetitions  of  provisional  treaty,  September  5,  1783  ;  on  mediation 
of  the  two  Imperial  Courts  ;  on  minister  to  Vienna  and  England ; 
commercial  connections.  —  Hon.  John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot,  on 
receipt  of  commission  for  treaty  of  commerce ;  affairs  in  Holland ; 
Mr.  Dumas'  expenses  ;  politics  ;  foreign  papers.  —  Mr.  Boudinot 
to  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin;  inclosing  duplicate  of  ratification  of 
treaty  with  Sweden,  also  resolutions  of  Congress  ;  mutiny  happily 
ended.  —  From  the  commissioners  to  Mr.  Boudinot;  relative  to 
treaty;  conduct  of  the  whole  affair.  —  Reception  of  Mr.  Boudinot's 
letter  of  7th  June,  with  directions  for  treaty  of  commerce;  minis- 
ters to  and  from  England;  other  nations  ready  to  make  treaties      .  358 

CHAPTER   XX. 

Hon.  John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot;  view  of  further  measures  to  be 
taken  in  Europe ;  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  Mr. 
Boudinot's  additional  cares  owing  to  the  resignation  of  secretary 
for  foreign  affairs ;  medals  approved  ;  first  and  last  clauses  in 
treaty ;  treaty  with  Morocco  ;  with  Denmark  ;  no  answer  yet  from 
Portugal ;  false  reports  of  situation  in  America ;  present  of  medal 
to  Grand  Master  of  Malta ;  court  of  France  still  favorable ;  English 
endeavor  to  sow  dissensions  ;  sends  sundry  memorials.  —  Hon. 
John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot;  sends  copy  of  Dutch  treaty.  —  Mr. 
Boudinot  to  Hon.  Robert  R.  Livingston;  forwards  letters,  papers, 
and  medal ;  Mr.  Jay  to  resign  in  the  spring ;  Mr.  Dana  at  St.  Pe- 


CONTENTS.  XVll 

tersburg ;  affairs  at  home.  —  To  General  Washington ;  inclosing  act 
of  Congress  for  admission  to  secret  papers.  —  Proclamation  on  treaty 
with  Sweden.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Hon.  Robert  R.  Livingston;  anx- 
iety as  to  action  in  New  York ;  judges  know  preliminary  articles 
identical  with  definitive  treaty;  English  press  for  a  minister.  —  Hon. 
Benjamin  Franklin  to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  Mr.  Thaxter  with  dispatches ; 
incloses  printed  copy  of  definitive  treaty.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Philo- 
sophical Society ;  extract  from  letter  of  Hon.  William  Carmichael, 
secretary  of  legation  in  Spain ;  nomination  of  honorary  members.  — 
To  General  Carleton,  asking  for  papers  seized  by  the  British  belong- 
ing to  the  Hon.  Richard  Stockton 384 

CHAPTER   XXI. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  His  Excellency  P.  J.  Van  Berckel,  minister  from  the 
Netherlands ;  his  arrival  subject  of  congratulation  ;  Mr.  Boudinot's 
steward  to  furnish  every  accommodation ;  Congress  immediately 
informed  of  his  arrival ;  to  appoint  day  for  audience.  —  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot to  Hon.  Robert  Morris,  regarding  audience.  —  To  Colonel 
Frelinghuysen  for  same  purpose.  —  To  General  Dickinson  for  es- 
cort of  troop.  —  In  Congress.  —  Speech  of  minister.  —  Letter  from 
their  High  Mightinesses.  —  The  President,  Mr.  Boudinot,  replies  to 
Mr.  Van  Berckel.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  commissioners.  —  Recapitu- 
lation from  last  letter;  seat  of  government ;  Treaty ;  Baron  Steuben 
sent  to  Canada ;  regarding  fortifications ;  arrival  of  minister  from 
Holland ;  effects  of  mutiny ;  having  seen  peace  established  and 
signed  both  preliminary  articles  and  definitive  treaty,  happy  to  re- 
tire to  private  life ;  Mr.  Mifilin  elected  to  fill  the  chair.  —  Procla- 
mations.—  Cessations  of  hostilities.  —  Contract  with  His  Christian 
Majesty.  —  Thanking  the  army.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Hon.  Andrew 
Elliot,  offering  services  and  acknowledging  his  benevolence  and  lib- 
erality to  captives 399 


^a;mA- 


:^,E     LWMf^ 


(XJHIVBHSITT; 


C/jLIfohMA; 


ELIAS  BOUDINOT. 


CHAPTER   I. 

State  of  New  Jersey  at  the  beginning  of  the  Revolution.  —  Recalled  in  peti- 
tion to  Congress  in  1840,  from  trustees  of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church. 
—  Elias  Boudinot  one  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  Essex 
County,  N.  J.,  nth  June,  1774.  —  Resolutions.  —  Other  counties.  —  EHas 
Boudinot  member  of  a  committee  appointed  by  Provincial  Congress, 
May  2,  1775.  —  Advice  of  same.  —  Elias  Boudinot  deputy  to  Provincial 
Congress,  May,  June,  and  August,  1775.  —  Is  sent  with  William  Pear- 
tree  Smith  to  Continental  Congress  for  directions.  —  Extract  of  letter 
from  Governor  Franklin  to  Joseph  Galloway.  —  Copy  of  "Alarm" 
from  Watertown.  —  Powder  sent  to  Boston.  —  Chairman  of  secret  com- 
mittee deserted  to  the  enemy.  —  Gave  information.  —  William  Living- 
ston elected  governor  and  brigadier-general ;  Elias  Boudinot,  Aid-de- 
camp. —  Letter  of  Lord  Stirling  regarding  confinement  of  Governor 
Franklin  in  Mr.  Boudinot's  house.  —  Extract  from  Elias  Boudinot's  Rem- 
iniscences. —  Relates  debate  with  Rev.  John  Witherspoon.  —  Speech 
in  First  Provincial  Congress.  —  Allusion  to  ancestor  under  Louis  XIV. 

It  is  difficult  in  these  days  of  peace  and  pros- 
perity, of  rapid  transportation  and  easy  communi- 
cation, for  us  to  realize  the  anxieties,  the  constant 
strain  upon  nerve,  as  well  as  purse,  in  which  our 
grandsires  of  the  Revolutionary  epoch  lived. 

New  Jersey,  peculiarly  exposed  from  its  cen- 
tral position  during  the  war,  a  highway  between 
North  and  South,  friend  and  foe  were  continu- 
ally marshaling  their  forces  within  her  borders ; 
for  some  time  the  actual  seat  of  war,  her  bat- 
tlefields were  many;    and  from  her  nearness  to 


2  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

New  York  and  Staten  Island,  she  was  constantly 
subject  to  sallies  from  these  places  in  the  hands 
of  the  British. 

Her  faithful  sons  gave  nobly  of  their  blood 
and  treasure.  No  State  could  boast  a  fuller  roll- 
call  of  patriots. 

In  a  petition  to  Congress  in  1840,  from  the  trus- 
tees of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church  of  Eliza- 
bethtown,  praying  for  indemnification  for  prop- 
erty destroyed  during  the  Revolutionary  War,  is 
the  following:  — 

"  The  blood  of  our  fathers  and  brothers  and 
neighbors  mingle  with  the  soil  of  Flatbush  and 
Monmouth  and  Princeton  and  Trenton  and  Bran- 
dywine  and  Germantown.  But  for  their  suffering 
and  blood  we  feel  amply  repaid  in  the  possession 
of  that  broad  inheritance  of  civil  and  religious 
liberty  which  they  so  dearly  purchased  for  us. 
As  a  congregation  we  contributed  our  fair  pro- 
portion to  the  civil  and  military  services  of  the 
Revolution ;  to  the  army,  we  gave  a  Dayton, 
father  and  son,  a  Spencer,  an  Ogden,  and  as 
chaplain  and  commissary,  our  beloved  Caldwell ; 
to  the  state,  we  gave  a  Boudinot,  a  Livingston, 
a  Clark,  a  Dayton,  an  Ogden ;  and  we  feel  not 
merely  proud  but  thankful  to  God  that  we  were 
enabled  to  send  such  men  to  the  field  and  to  the 
cabinet,  in  the  day  of  darkness  and  peril,  when 
wisdom  to  direct  was  as  necessary  as  valor  to 
execute." 

Midnight  alarm,  capture,  plunder,  raids  unceas- 


COMMITTEE    OF    CORRESPONDENCE.  3 

ing,  —  these  were  the  order  of  the  day;  but  the 
petition  continues:  — 

"  These  things  we  regard  as  necessarily  inci- 
dental to  the  great  contest;  and  a  few  old  Ro- 
mans there  are  yet  among  us,  who  remember 
the  cup  of  wormwood,  but  who  yet  rejoice  in 
sufferings  that  have  resulted  so  gloriously.  For 
these  things  we  ask  no  remuneration,  congress 
could  grant  us  no  equivalent.  We  would  not 
sell  the  laurels  we  have  won  in  the  Revolutionary 
contest  for  the  public  domain.  We  mention 
these  things  merely  to  show  you  the  amount  of 
our  contribution  to  the  wisdom,  and  valor,  and 
firmness,  and  suffering,  which  achieved  our  glori- 
ous independence;  all  that  we  desire  now  from 
our  country  is  a  compensation  for  our  public 
property  destroyed,  and  destroyed  because  of  be- 
ing converted  to  public  purposes  for  the  benefit 
of  the  American  army."  ^ 

Peace  loving  and  law  abiding,  but  firm  in  the 
conviction  that  vigorous  measures  should  be 
adopted  to  secure  the  common  rights  and  liber- 
ties of  the  colonies,  Elias  Boudinot  is  found 
among  the  first  to  respond  to  the  call  for  united 
action.  He  becomes  one  of  the  Committee  of 
Correspondence  for  Essex  County,  New  Jersey,  on 
the  1 1  th  day  of  June,  1 774,  when  it  resolved,  "  That 
this  county  will  most  readily  and  cheerfully  join 
their  brethren  of  the  other  counties  in  this  prov- 

1  New  Jersey  Historical  Collection^  by  John  W.  Barber  and   Henry 
Howe,  pp.  170,  171. 


4  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

ince  in  promoting  such  congress  of  deputies, 
to  be  sent  from  each  of  the  colonies,  in  order 
to  form  a  general  plan  of  union,  so  that  the 
measures  to  be  pursued  for  the  important  ends 
in  view  may  be  uniform  and  firm.  That  it  is 
our  unanimous  opinion  that  it  would  conduce 
to  the  restoration  of  the  liberties  of  Amei'ica 
should  the  colonies  enter  into  a  joint  agreement 
not  to  purchase  or  use  any  articles  of  British 
manufacture,  and  especially  any  commodities  im- 
ported from  the  East  Indies,  under  such  restric- 
tions as  may  be  agreed  upon  by  general  congress 
of  the  said  colonies  hereafter  to  be  appointed. 
That  the  late  Act  of  Parliament  relative  to  Bos- 
ton, which  so  absolutely  destroys  every  idea  of 
safety  and  confidence,  appears  to  us  big  with  the 
most  dangerous  and  alarming  consequences,  es- 
pecially as  subversive  of  that  very  dependence 
which  we  should  earnestly  wish  to  continue,  as 
our  best  safeguard  and  protection ; "  and  they 
declare,  "  That  under  the  enjoyment  of  our  con- 
stitutional privileges  and  immunities  we  will 
ever  cheerfully  render  all  due  obedience  to  the 
crown  of  Great  Britain,  as  well  as  full  faith  and 
allegiance  to  his  most  gracious  Majesty  King 
George  the  Third,  and  do  esteem  a  firm  depend- 
ence on  the  mother  country  essential  to  our  polit- 
ical security  and  happiness."^ 

These  men,  then,  had  no  idea  of  separation  and 

1  Minutes  of  the  Provincial  Congress  and  the  Council  of  Safety  of  the 
State  of  Nezv  Jersey,  p.  7. 


IN    THE    PROVINCIAL    CONGRESS.  5 

independence ;  but  the  logic  of  events  was  urging 
thenn  forward,  and  having  put  their  hands  to  the 
plow,  there  was  no  turning  back. 

The  other  counties  follow  fast  the  lead  of 
Essex,  with  spirited  resolutions;  and  a  committee 
appointed  by  the  Provincial  Congress,  of  which 
Elias  Boudinot  is  one,  on  May  the  2d,  1775,  "ad- 
vise and  direct,"  "  in  view  of  the  alarming  and 
very  extraordinary  conduct  of  the  British  Minis- 
ter for  carrying  into  execution  sundry  Acts  of 
Parliament  for  the  express  purpose  of  raising 
a  revenue  in  America  and  other  unconstitutional 
measures  therein  mentioned,  and  also  the  several 
acts  of  hostilities  that  they  have  actually  com- 
menced for  this  purpose  by  the  regular  forces 
under  General  Gage  sent  against  our  brethren  of 
the  colony  of  Massachusetts  Bay,  in  New  England, 
are  unanimously  of  opinion  and  do  hereby  advise 
and  direct  that  the  Chairman  do  immediately  call 
a  provincial  congress,  to  meet  at  Trenton,  on 
Tuesday,  the  23d  of  this  instant,  in  order  to  con- 
sider of  and  determine  such  matters  as  may  then 
and  there  come  before  them,  and  the  several  coun- 
ties are  hereby  desired  to  nominate  and  appoint 
their  respective  deputies."  ^ 

We  find  Elias  Boudinot's  name  among  the 
deputies  who  attended  this  Provincial  Congress 
of  May,  June,  and  August  of  1775.  On  Thurs- 
day, May  the  25th,  he,  with  William  Peartree 
Smith,  is  sent  to  the  Continental   Congress  for 

1  Minutes  of  the  Provincial  Congress  and  Council  of  Safety,  p.  109. 


6  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

"directions  concerning  the  line  of  conduct  in 
which  we  ought  to  act." 

On  March  the  12th,  Governor  FrankHn  had 
written  to  Joseph  Galloway/  of  Philadelphia :  — 

"  I  am  sorry  the  Assembly  here  did  not  take 
my  advice  and  avoid  giving  any  express  appro- 
bation of  the  members  of  the  Congress,  but  they 
were  hurried  precipitately  into  it  early  in  the  ses- 
sion by  Kinsey,  who  was  weak  enough  to  suffer 
himself  to  be  made  a  tool  of  by  Governor  William 
Livingston  and  Elias  Boudinot,  who  came  down 
on  purpose  from  Elizabethtown  and  caballed 
among  the  members.  They  persuaded  them  that 
if  they  approved  of  the  proceedings  immediately, 
it  would  be  a  means  of  influencing  the  New  York 
Assembly,  then  sitting,  to  do  the  like,  for  that 
they  would  not  choose  to  stand  single ;  and  be- 
sides, it  would  be  better  to.  do  it  at  once,  for 
otherwise  the  governor,  if  he  should  get  intelli- 
gence that  they  intended  it  or  had  it  under 
consideration,  would  prevent  them  by  a  dissolu- 
tion." ^ 

The  following  is  a  copy  of  the  "  Alarm,"  from 
Watertown,  Mass.,  received  by  Mr.  Boudinot, 
which  sent  a  thrill  of  angry  indignation  through 
the  country,  and  stirred  the  fires  smouldering  in 
every  patriot's  heart,  of  which  the  Jersey  beacon 
lights  became  the  outward   symbols ;    flaring  up 


1  Member  of  the  Provincial  Congress,  and  in  1776  became  an  ardent 
loyalist. 

2  New  Jersey  Archives,  First  Series,  vol.  x.  p.  575. 


THE    WATERTOWN    ALARM.  7 

from  hilltop  to  hilltop,  as  Short  Hills  flashed 
to  Fort  Hill,  and  Fort  Hill  to  Denville,  and  so 
on  through  the  Somerset  Hills.  These  were  the 
signals  for  arousing  the  stout  yeomanry,  who, 
dropping  flail  and  scythe  for  a  musket,  emerged 
from  every  byway  and  mountain  path,  joining 
band  to  band,  hastening,  forward  to  present  an 
unexpected  and  resolute  front  to  the  enemy.' 

Copy  of  the  Alarm  sent  by  the  Committee  of  Water- 
town  near  Boston,  to  raise  the  Country,  rec^  by 
me  as  Chairman  of  the  Committee  of  Safety  at 
Elizabeth  Town  on  the  Evening  of  23^  April 
1775  — 
Water  Town —  Wednesday  Morning  near  11  of  Clock. 

To  all  friends  of  american  liberty, 
be  it  known,  that  this  morning  before  break  of 
day,  a  Brigade,  consisting  of  about  looo  or  1200 
Men,  landed  at  Phlpp's  Farm  at  Cambridge  and 
marched  to  Lexington,  where  they  found  a  Com- 
pany of  our  Militia  in  Arms,  upon  whom  they 
fired  without  any  provocation  and  killed  6  Men 
&  wounded  4  others  —  By  an  express  from  Bos- 
ton we  find  another  Brigade  are  now  upon  their 
March  from  Boston,  supposed  to  be  about  1000 
—  The  Bearer  Israel  Bissel  is  charged  to  alarm 
the  Country  quite  to  Connecticut ;  and  all  Persons 
are  desired  to  furnish  him  with  fresh  Horses,  as 
they  may  be  needed  —  I  have  spoken  with  several, 
who  have  seen  the  dead  &  wounded  — 

J.  Palmer  one  of  the  Committee  of  s — y  — 


8  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Forwarded  from  Worcester  April  19,  1775 

Brooklyn  —  Thursday  no  Clock 
Norwich  4  o  Clock 

New  London  7  o  Clock 

Lynne  —  Friday  Morning  i  o  Clock 
Say  Brook —  4  o  Clock 

Shillingsworth —  7  o  Clock 

E  Guilford—  8  o  Clock 

Guilford —  10  o  Clock 

Bradford —  12  o  Clock 

New  Haven —  April  21 

Reed  &  forwarded  on  certain  Intelligence 

Fairfield  April  22^  8  o  Clock  ^ 

Thursday  3  O'clock  Afternoon. 

Since  the  above  rec'd  the  following  by  second 
Express. 
Sir 

I  am  this  moment  informed  by  Express  from 
Woodstock  taken  from  the  mouth  of  the  Express 
that  arrived  there  2  o'clock  afternoon  that  the 
contest  between  the  first  Brigade  that  marched  to 
Concord,  was  still  continuing  this  morning  at  the 
Town  of  Lexington,  to  which  2d  Brigade  had  re- 
treated. That  another  Brigade  said  to  be  the 
second  mentioned  in  the  letter  of  this  morning 
had  landed  with  a  quantity  of  artillery  at  the 
place  where  the  first  did.  The  Provincials  were 
determined  to  prevent  the  two  Brigades  from 
joining  their  strength  if  possible,  and  remain  in 
great  need  of  Succour. 

—  N  B     The  Regulars  when  in  Concord,  burnt 

1  MSS.,  Elias  Boudinot. 


LACK    OF    POWDER.  9 

the  Court  house — ^took  2  pieces  of  Cannon  which 
they  rendered  useless  and  began  to  take  up  Con- 
cord bridge,  on  which  Capt. (who  with  many 

on  both  sides  were  soon  killed)  made  an  attack 
on  the  King's  Troops,  when  they  retreated  to 
Lexington.     I  am  &c. 

Eb  Williams 

P  S.  Mr.  and  Mrs  Farland  of  Plainfield 
Mascts,  has  just  returned  from  Boston  by  way  of 
Providence,  who  conversed  with  an  Express  from 
Lexington,  who  further  informs,  that  about  4000 
of  our  Troops  had  surrounded  the  first  Brigade 
who  were  on  a  Hill  in  Lexington.  That  the 
action  continued  &  there  were  about  50  of  the 
men  killed  and  150  Regulars  as  near  as  they 
could  determine  when  the  Express  came  away. 
It  will  be  expedient  for  every  man  to  go,  who  is 
fit  &  willing. 

New  York  Committee  Chamber  4  o'clock. 
23d  April  1775  P.  M. 

Reed,  the  within  Act  by  Express,  forw"^  by  Ex- 
press to  N  Brunswick  with  directions  to  stop  at 
Elizabeth  Town  &  acquaint  the  Committee  there 
with  the  foregoing  particulars  by  order 

J  S.  Low  Chairman 

The  Committee  of  N  Brunswick  are  desired  to 
forward  this  to  Philadelphia.^ 

Marshall,  in  his  "  Life  of  Washington,"  tells  of 
the  terrible  lack  of  powder  discovered  on  Wash- 

1  MSB.,  Elias  Boudinot. 


lO  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

ington's  arrival  in  camp  at  Cambridge.  He  says : 
"  All  the  colonial  governments  and  committees, 
as  well  as  Congress,  were  applied  to  and  entreated 
to  send  every  pound  of  powder  and  lead  which 
could  be  spared ;  no  quantity,  however  small,  they 
were  assured,  was  beneath  notice.  In  the  mean 
time  every  saving  was  practiced,  and  every  effort 
was  used  to  bring  these  essential  articles  into  the 
country.  This  critical  state  of  things  continued 
for  about  a  fortnight,  when  the  danger  resulting 
from  it  was  in  some  degree  diminished  by  the 
arrival  of  a  small  supply  of  powder  sent  from 
Elizabethtown,  New  Jersey.  A  circumstance  at- 
tending this  transaction  will  furnish  some  view 
of  the  difficulties  encountered  by  those  who  then 
conducted  the  affairs  of  America.  All  essential 
to  the  general  safety,  as  it  apparently  was,  to  re- 
plenish with  the  utmost  possible  expedition  the 
magazines  of  that  army  which  lay  in  camp  in  the 
face  of  the  enemy,  the  committee  of  Elizabeth- 
town  were  under  the  necessity  of  transmitting 
this  necessary  aid,  privately  and  under  other  pre- 
texts, lest  the  people  of  the  neighborhood  should 
seize  and  retain  it  for  their  own  security." 

In  the  marginal  note  of  his  copy  of  this  work, 
Mr.  Boudinot  writes :  "  I  was  Chairman  of  this 
committee  and  forwarded  this  powder,  not  more 
than  a  few  quarter  casks,  say  8  or  lo."  Marshall 
continues :  "  The  utmost  address  was  used  to 
conceal  from  the  enemy  the  alarming  deficiency 
which  has  been  stated ;  but  when  it  is  recollected 


WILUAM    LIVINGSTON.  II 

in  how  many  various  directions  and  to  what 
various  authorities  appHcation  for  assistance  was 
unavoidably  made,  it  will  appear  scarcely  possible 
that  these  efforts  at  secrecy  could  have  been  com- 
pletely successful.  It  is  more  probable  that  the 
communications  which  must  have  been  made  to 
the  British  General  were  not  credited."  ^ 

Here  Mr.  Boudinot's  marginal  note  continues, 
saying :  "  This  is  certainly  the  case :  the  Chair- 
man of  the  secret  committee,  hearing  the  fact, 
became  terrified  with  what  was  likely  to  be  the 
inevitable  consequence,  deserted  to  the  enemy, 
and  communicated  to  General  Gage  the  destitute 
situation  of  the  American  army  with  regard  to 
powder,  and  was  by  General  Gage  treated  as  a 
spy,  charging  him  with  a  design  of  deceiving  the 
British  army,  just  to  have  them  destroyed  by  be- 
lieving this  falsehood.  General  Washington  told 
me  himself  that  he  had  12  or  13  miles  of  lines  to 
guard  for  14  days,  without  more  than  8  rounds  of 
powder  per  man  for  his  infantry,  and  one  round 
for  artillery ;  he  dared  not  fire  the  morning  and 
evening  gun." 

The  first  legislature  under  the  republican  con- 
stitution met  in  Princeton  in  1776,  and  by  it 
William  Livingston  was  elected  governor.  He 
moved  to  Elizabethtown  in  1772.  In  1776  he 
was  elected  brioradier-o^eneral,  took  command  of 
the  New  Jersey  militia,  and  fixed  his  camp  at  Eliz- 

1  Life  of  Washington,  by  John  Marshall,  vol.  ii.  p.  245. 


12  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

abethtovvn,  where  Elias  Boudinot  was  his  aid-de- 
camp.^ 

Lord  Stirling  writes  to  President  Hancock :  — 

> 

>•*  Elizabeth  Town  J  any  lo,  17  76 

Sir 

I  now  send  you  inclosed  Copies  of  some  letters 

which   have  passed   between  Governor  Franklin 

and  Lieut  Colonel  Winds.     As  it  is  evident  from 

the  last  Letter  from  the  Governor  that  he  intends 

no    longer  to   remain    quiet,   I    thought    it    most 

prudent  to  secure  him  and  remove  him  to  this 

place ;  I  accordingly  sent  orders  to  Lieut  Colonel 

Winds  this  morning  for  that    purpose.     I   have 

provided  good  genteel  private  Lodgings  for  the 

Govr.  at   Mr.  Boudinot's  which  I  expect  he  will 

occupy   this    afternoon,   and   where   I   intend    he 

shall  remain  untill  I  have  directions  from   Con- 

gress  wdiat  to  do  with  him. 

I  am 

With  great  Regard 

Your  Most  Humble  Servant 

Stirling 
The  Honorable  John  Hancock.*^ 

At  this  epoch  Elias  Boudinot  throws  himself 
heart  and  soul  into  the  patriotic  struggle  which, 
only  after  weary  years  of  labor  and  anxiety,  was 
to  culminate  in  the  freedom  of  his  country,  and 
permit  him  to  enjoy  that  domestic  happiness  and 
repose  so  dear  to  him. 

1  Notes  on  Elizabethtown^  by  Nicholas  Murray. 

2  MSS.,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  of  General 
Officers^  No.  162,  p.  360. 


ELECTED    TO    PROVINCIAL    CONGRESS.  1 3 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes :  — 

"  I  was  among  the  first  of  the  Citizens  of  New 
Jersey  who  exerted  ourselves  in  Opposition  to  the 
unconstitutional  Acts  of  Great  Britain,  then  th|t; 
Mother  Country,  and  to  whom  the  Citizens  or '^- 
America  were  bound  by  the  strongest  habits  of 
filial  Affection  &  Religious  Obedience  —  Nothing 
was  farther  from  our  Ideas,  than  a  State  of  Inde- 
pendence on  the  Country  from  which  we  drew  all 
our  Ideas  Principles  of  Happiness  &  Enjoyment. 

"  I  had  read  an  excellent  Treatise,  said  to  have 
been  written  by  Lord  Kames,  which  in  a  very 
extraordinary  Measure  foretold  the  certainty  of 
American  Independence,  in  some  future  day,  and 
that  founded  on  a  Train  of  solid  Reasoning, 
but  we  talked  of  it  and  treated  it  as  the  gener- 
ality of  People  now  do  the  Accounts  they  read  of 
the  Millenium. 

"  In  1775  I  was  chosen  a  member  of  the  Provin- 
cial Congress  of  New  Jersey,  and  when  a  Propo- 
sition was  made  by  a  few  weak  &  violent  men 
for  raising  a  Regiment  of  Troops,  it  was  opposed 
by  all  the  Men  of  Note  &  Understanding  as  a 
Measure  wholly  against  our  Duty  of  Allegiance 
to  Great  Britain  and  rejected  as  contrary  to  every 
Sentiment  or  Desire  of  our  Constituents  —  A 
few  weak,  violent  Men  (particularly  a  William 
Smith  of  Woodbrldge)  were  not  only  for  raising  a 
Regiment  of  Soldiers,  but  expressly  moved  for  an 
Order  to  burn  every  man's  House  who  should 
refuse  to  join  the  Opposition  —  It  required  Pru- 


^■^ 


(tTNIVEHSlTT  ■ 

V  OF  . 


14  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

dence  &  Patience  to  get  rid  of  the  Effects  of  these 
hot-headed  Measures  —  But  I  could  not  help  re- 
marking that  these  very  Men  were  the  first  to 
join  the  Enemy  as  soon  as  they  appeared  in  force. 
"  In  1776,  in  the  Month  of  April,  an  Invitation 
was  given  in  a  Newspaper  of  New  Jersey  (but 
without  a  name)  for  each  County  to  choose  Dele- 
gates or  a  Committee  to  meet  at  New  Brunswick, 
on  Matters  which  greatly  concerned  the  Province 
—  As  it  was  generally  conceived  to  be  designed 
to  promote  some  general  Plan  relative  to  a 
Market  for  Home  Manufactures  in  each  County, 
Committees  were  generally  appointed,  altho'  the 
Publication  made  but  little  Impression  on  the 
Minds  of  the  People  at  large  —  At  this  Time  the 
Stated  Meeting  of  the  Trustees  of  the  College  of 
New  Jersey  was  held  at  Princeton  —  Being  one 
of  the  Trustees,  I  attended,  but  we  were  surprised, 
to  find  our  President,  the  Rev"^  John  Witherspoon 
had  absented  himself  on  the  second  Day  of  our 
Meeting  —  We  finished  our  Business  and  the 
Next  Day,  was  returning  Home,  without  reflecting 
at  all  on  the  Meeting  to  be  held  at  New  Bruns- 
wick, having  totally  forgotten  it — In  Company 
with  Wm.  P.  Smith,  Esq.,  another  of  the  Trustees, 
arrived  at  New  Brunswick  about  1 1  o'clock  a.  m. 
and  after  feeding  our  Horse  meant  to  have  dined 
at  Woodbridge  —  In  the  meantime  an  Acquaint- 
ance from  the  County  of  Burgen  came  into  the 
Tavern  —  He  informed  us,  that  he  was  one  of  the 
Committee  from  that  County  -^  That  Dr.  Wither- 


DR.    WITHERSPOON.  1 5 

spoon  had  met  the  united  Committees,  and  ac- 
knowledged himself  the  Author  of  the  Publica- 
tion, and  informed  them,  that  the  Design  of  the 
Meeting  was,  to  consider  the  peculiar  Situation 
of  the  Province,  and  the  Propriety  of  declaring  a 
Separation  from  Great  Britain,  and  forming  an 
independent  Constitution  for  ourselves,  and  as  he 
did  not  wish  to  precipitate  so  important  a  Step, 
he  proposed  adjourning  till  the  Afternoon,  when 
he  would  offer  his  Reasons  at  large,  and  in  the 
meantime  each  Member  might  think  seriously  on 
the  Subject  —  This  unexpected  Account,  raised 
our  Curiosity,  and  Mr.  Smith  &  myself  agreed  to 
stay  and  hear  what  might  be  said  on  the  Subject; 
but  before  the  Meeting  adjourned,  they  resolved 
to  request,  that  as  the  Subject  was  one  which 
interested  every  inhabitant  of  the  Province,  any 
of  the  Audience  might  come  forward  &  deliver 
his  Sentiments,  altho'  he  could  not  vote  on  the 
Questions  —  We  accordingly  attended  the  Meet- 
ing in  the  Afternoon  when  Dr.  W rose  and 

in  a  very  able,  and  elegant  Speech  of  one  Hour 
&  half  endeavored  to  convince  the  Audience  & 
the  Committee  of  the  absurdity  of  opposing  the 
extravagant  demands  of  Great  Britain,  while 
we  were  professing  a  perfect  Allegiance  to  her 
Authority  and  supporting  her  Courts  of  Justice  — 
The  Character  of  the  Speaker,  his  great  Influence 
among  the  People,  his  known  Attachment  to  the 
Liberties  of  the  People,  and  the  artful  Manner  in 
which  he  represented  the  whole  subject  as  worthy 


'>.   4 


1 6  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

their  Attention,  had  an  Effect,  on  the  Assembly 
that  astonished  me  — 

"  There  appeared  a  general  Approbation  of  the 
Measure,  and  I  strongly  suspected  an  universal 
Acquiescence  of  both  Committees  &  Audience  in 
approving  the  doctor's  scheme  —  I  never  felt  my- 
self in  a  more  mortifying  Situation  —  The  anony- 
mous. Publication —  The  Meeting  of  the  Trustees 
of  the  College  but  the  Day  before,  made  up  wholly 
of  Presbyterians  —  Their  President  leaving  them 
to  attend  the  Meeting  &  avowing  himself  the 
Author  of  it  —  The  Doctor  known  to  be  at  the 
Head  of  the  Presbyterian  Interest,  and  Mr.  Smith 
&  myself  both  Presbyterians,  arriving  at  New 
Brunswick  in  the  Morning,  as  if  intending  to 
go  forward  and  then  staying  and  attending  the 
Meeting,  altogether  looked  so  like  a  preconcerted 
Scheme,  to  accomplish  the  End,  that  I  was  at  my 
Wit's  End,  to  extricate  myself  from  so  disagree- 
able a  Situation,  especially  as  the  Measure  was 
totally  agt  my  Judgment  —  On  a  Minute's  Con- 
versation with  Mr.  Smith,  I  determined  at  all 
Events  to  step  forward  &  bear  my  Testimony 
agt  the  Scheme  in  toto  —  Two  of  the  Committee 
had  delayed  the  Question  by  speaking  in  favor  of 
it,  but  no  one  had  spoken  in  Opposition,  till  I 
arose  and  in  a  Speech  of  about  half  an  Hour  or 
better,  stated  my  peculiar  Situation  and  endeav- 
ored to  show  the  Fallacy  of  the  Doctor's  Argu- 
ments—  That  his  Plan  was  neither  founded  on 
Wisdom,  Prudence  nor  Economy  —  That  we  had 


ADDRESSES    MEETING    AT    BRUNSWICK.  1 7 

chosen  a  Continental  Congress,  to  whom  we  had 
resigned  the  Consideration  of  our  public  Affairs 
—  That  they  coming  from  every  Part  of  the 
Union,  would  best  represent  all  the  Colonies  now 
thus  united  —  They  would  know  the  true  Situ- 
ation of  our  Country  with  regard  to  Finances, 
Union  &  the  Prospects  we  had  of  a  happy 
Reconciliation  with  the  Mother  Country  —  They 
would  also  be  possessed  of  our  relative  Circum- 
stances with  regard  to  the  other  Nations  of  Eu- 
rope—  In  short  that  they  were  the  only  proper 
Judges  of  the  Measures  to  be  pursued,  and  that 
we  had  no  right  to  involve  them  in  Distress  & 
Trouble  by  plunging  ourselves  into  a  Measure  of 
so  delicate  a  Nature  until  they  should  advise  us 
in  what  Manner  to  Proceed,  &c.  &c. 

"  This  Opposition  wholly  unsuspected  by  the 
Doctor  with  the  great  Attention  of  all  present, 
a  little  disconcerted  him  but  he  soon  recovered 
himself  and  began  a  Reply,  when  two  or  three 
gent^  of  the  Audience  came  to  me  &  desired  that 
I  would  inform  the  Doctor,  that  if  he  proceeded 
any  farther,  they  would  not  be  answerable  for  his 
Safety  —  I  answered,  that  the  Request  was  an 
unreasonable  one  —  That  I  had  been  the  only 
Person  present  who  had  opposed  him,  that  he 
had  a  Right  to  be  heard  in  Reply,  and  if  they 
disliked  the  Proposition  they  ought  openly  to 
come  forward  &  to  give  their  Opinions  — 

"  The  Doctor  had  not  spoken  twenty  Minutes, 
when    I    observed   some   persons  whispering   to 


1 8  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

him  —  He  directly  stopped —  Informed  the  Chair- 
man that  he  found  that  he  was  giving  Offense, 
and  therefore  he  should  say  no  more  on  the  Sub- 
ject, but  hoped  that  the  Committees  would  return 
to  their  respective  Counties  &  consult  their  Con- 
stituents, without  coming  to  any  Determination 
on  the  Subject  —  To  this  I  objected,  urging  the 
Impropriety  of  breaking  up  without  a  Vote,  as 
in  that  Case  the  Opinion  of  the  Meeting  would 
be  variously  reported  in  the  different  Counties 
according  to  each  Man's  political  Creed  and  the 
People  would  by  these  Means  be  led  astray  — 

"  The  Doctor  was  a  good  deal  out  of  Humour, 
&  contended  warmly  agt  a  Vote  —  But  a  large 
Majority  of  the  Meeting  insisted  on  a  Vote,  which 
being  taken,  out  of  36  Members  there  were  but 
3  or  4  who  voted  for  the  Doctor's  Proposition, 
the  Rest  rejecting  it  with  great  Warmth  —  Thus 
ended  this  first  Attempt  to  try  the  Pulse  of  the 
People  of  New  Jersey  on  the  Subject  of  Inde- 
pendence, and  yet  when  advised  by  the  Conti- 
nental Congress,  no  Part  of  the  Union  was  more 
hearty,  than  the  State  of  New  Jersey."^ 

The  following  is  the  speech  made  by  Mr. 
Boudinot  in  the  First  Provincial  Congress  of 
New  Jersey:  — 

"  Under  these  circumstances  the  Committee 
to  whom  this  Department  was  committed  were 
assured  that  no  common  representation  of  the 
People  was   equal  to  the  necessity  of  our  affairs 

^  Reminiscences  of  E lias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


SPEECH    IN    PROVINCIAL    CONGRESS.  1 9 

and  not  knowing  how  soon  such  disorder  and 
confusion  might  reach  this  Province  as  would  pre- 
vent even  self  defence,  thought  proper  to  recom- 
mend, and  the  good  People  of  this  Province  have 
approved  the  present  Congress.  Thus  Mr.  Chair- 
man we  are  met  on  the  most  important  Business 
that  ever  has  been  agitated  in  this  Colony,  every 
man  must  feel  himself  unequal  to  the  task.  I 
hope  we  are  all  come  here,  for  the  Purpose  (not 
of  overturning  or  destroying  our  happy  Constitu- 
tion as  our  Enemies  absurdly  assert)  but  of  sup- 
porting, maintaining  and  building  it  up  secure 
agt  all  the  attack  of  every  Invader.  Our  Elder 
Brethren  forgetfull  of  their  former  affection  have 
treated  us  as  Aliens  and  Enemies,  but  let  us  not 
forget  the  happy  Tye.  Let  us  enter  on  this 
Important  Business  under  the  Idea  that  we  are 
Christians,  on  whom  the  Eyes  of  the  World  are 
now  turned.  Christians  who  profess  to  see  the 
unhappy  Mistakes  of  those  who  would  oppress 
us.  Let  us  in  the  first  Place  conscious  of  our 
own  weakness,  and  utter  Inability  to  help  defend 
ourselves,  humbly  and  penitently  implore  the  Aid 
of  that  Almighty  God,  whom  we  profess  to  Serve 
—  let  us  earnestly  call  and  beseech  him  for  Christs 
sake  to  preside  in  our  Councills  and  to  overrule 
our  determination  for  all  the  general  Good. 

"  Let  us  not  be  elated  with  the  prospect  of  suc- 
cess on  the  first  dawn  of  the  Contest,  and  thereby 
be  lead  to  behave  to  our  Enemies  in  a  manner 
we  should  not  wish  them  to  behave  to  us  were 


20  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

they  to  get  the  upperhand.  The  fortune  of  war 
is  precarious,  the  race  not  being  to  the  swift  nor 
the  Battle  to  the  Strong. 

"As  our  Consultations  must  be  on  subjects 
that  I  believe  are  strange  to  every  Individual,  let 
us  proceed  with  diffidence  cautiously  and  deliber- 
ately. Let  not  the  Expence  of  Time  deter  us 
from  exercising  Patience,  knowing  how  many 
Thousands  are  affected  by  our  determinations. 
Let  every  one  thoroughly  understand  every  sub- 
ject and  be  well  satisfied  in  his  own  Mind  before 
he  determines  and  if  a  Matter  is  doubtfull  let  us 
not  rashly  pursue  it. 

"  Let  us  set  out  upon  Principle  and  strictly  ad- 
here to  it,  and  we  shall  be  most  likely  to  keep  on 
the  Path  of  Wisdom.  Let  Peace,  harmony,  and 
Union  be  our  great  Pole  Star  and  if  it  can  be 
obtained  on  any  rational  Terms  whatever  let  us 
pursue  it  with  all  our  might,  remembering  that 
the  Lips  of  Wisdom  have  pronounced  Blessed 
is  the  Peace  Maker  for  theirs  is  the  Kingdom  of 
Heaven.  Let  every  endeavour  be  used  to  pre- 
vent Effusion  of  human  Blood,  for  which  End 
let  all  our  preparations  for  a  Case  of  necessity  be 
solely  directed. 

"  Let  us  lay  aside  every  selfish  private  view  re- 
membering that  we  now  represent  a  whole  Colony 
and  indeed  future  Generations  yet  unborn.  That 
we  are  not  our  own  but  the  publicks.  That  we 
know  no  Man  but  as  a  Member  of  the  great 
whole. 


TO    OPEN    THE    MEETING    WITH    PRAYER.         21 

"  Having  thrown  out  these  general  Hints,  I 
shall  conclude,  after  recommending  you  to  the 
Grace  of  God  and  the  influence  of  his  Spirit,  and 
with  making  a  Motion  in  the  following  words, 
making  no  Apology  for  the  length  of  Time  I 
have  engaged  the  attention  of  this  worthy  Board, 
than  that  from  the  necessity  and  Importance  of 
the  Case,  we  should  be  glad  of  hearing  every 
Thing  from  the  meanest  Member,  that  we  may  on 
the  whole  determine  with  Propriety  and  Judg- 
ment. 

"  In  as  much  as  the  Business  likely  to  engage 
the  attention  and  deliberation  of  the  present  Con- 
gress is  of  the  utmost  consequence  to  the  good 
People  of  this  Colony ;  for  the  successf ull  deter- 
mination whereof,  we  can  only  depend  on  the  all 
powerfull  Influence  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  whose 
divine  aid  and  assistance  it  becomes  us  as  a  Chris- 
tian People  most  devoutly  to  implore.  Therefore 
I  move,  that  some  Minister  of  the  Gospel  be  re- 
quested to  attend  this  Congress  every  morning 
at  o'clock  during  the  Sessions  in  order  to 
open  the  Meeting  with  Prayer  humbly  supplicat- 
ing Almighty  God  to  preside  over  and  direct 
our  Councills  for  the  Accomplishment  of  Peace 
Unanimity  and  Harmony  between  Great  Britain 
and  these  distressed  Colonies,  and  to  grant  that 
success  to  our  publick  affairs  that  will  advance 
the  great  designs  of  his  Providence."  ^ 

1  MS.  indorsed,  "  Address  to  Provincial  Congress  at  their  first  sitting." 
(Pennsylvania  Historical  Society.) 


2  2  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

It  is  amid  such  scenes  that  the  figure  of  Ehas 
Boudinot  comes  naturally  to  view.  Born  on  May 
2,  1740,  he  grew  up  amid  the  discontents  of  the 
colony  and  the  threatening  of  the  coming  storm, 
which,  as  we  have  seen,  burst  upon  the  devoted 
country  at  a  period  of  his  life  when  he  could  give 
the  best  of  his  years  to  her  service. 

His  home  training  and  his  education  were  such 
as  to  fit  him  for  the  duties  that  manifestly  lay  be- 
fore him.  He  had  inherited  from  his  Huo^uenot 
ancestors  that  stern  rectitude  of  character  and 
love  of  liberty  for  which  they  had  suffered. 

Following  the  natural  laws  of  evolution,  he  is 
found  in  the  front  rank  of  patriots.  Possessing  a 
sound  and  vigorous  mind,  allied  to  a  tender  and 
loving  heart,  resolute  and  firm  in  his  convictions, 
he  never  for  a  moment  doubts  the  path  of  duty, 
nor  does  he  sacrilegiously  lay  his  hand  upon  aught 
of  worth  that  time  and  custom  had  sanctioned. 
With  his  brother  patriots,  he  seeks  every  redress 
from  constituted  authority  within  the  limit  of  pos- 
sibility, and  then,  and  only  then,  when  all  is  in 
vain,  does  he  turn  his  back  upon  the  past. 

The  blood  that  stirred  in  the  veins  of  his  an- 
cestor, the  fourth  Elias  Boudinot  in  direct  ascent 
from  himself,  under  the  stringent  and  merciless 
edicts  of  Louis  XIV.  of  France,  tingled  in  his 
own  at  the  recital  of  the  wrongs  inflicted  upon  his 
countrymen  in  Boston.  True  to  those  instincts, 
the  heritage  from  the  "  persecuted  for  righteous- 
ness' sake,"  he  takes  his  stand  not  only  for  liberty, 
but  justice. 


CHAPTER  II. 

Mr.  Boudinot's  law  studies.  —  Dr.  Cannon's  recollections  of  the  two 
Boudinot  brothers  as  related  by  Mr.  Justice  Bradley.  —  Election  of 
Judge  Elisha  Boudinot.  —  WiUiam  Peartree  Smith.  —  Boudinot  ances- 
tors. —  Elie  Boudinot,  the  first  in  this  country.  —  One  of  the  founders  of 
the  French  Church  in  New  York.  —  Protest  to  Lieutenant-Governor 
Leisler.  —  His  lands  in  the  Jerseys.  —  Mr.  Boudinot's  marriage  to 
Hannah  Stockton.  —  Annis  Boudinot,  Mrs.  Stockton.  —  Pintards.  — 
Annis  Stockton  conceals  papers  from  the  British.  —  Her  correspondence 
with  Washington.  —  Elisha  Boudinot.  —  His  marriages.  —  William 
Peartree  Smith.  —  Nathan  Hale  confined  in  Beekman  House.  —  Elisha 
Boudinot's  letters  relating  to  early  movements  of  the  Revolution.  — 
Commissary  of  Prisoners  for  New  Jersey.  —  Essex  County  Committee 
of  ladies.  —  Female  Charitable  Society.  —  Elisha  Boudinot's  house  in 
Newark. 

Mr.  Boudinot  studied  law  with  his  brother-in- 
law,  Richard  Stockton,  the  signer  of  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence,  was  licensed  as  counselor 
and  attorney  at  law  on  November  9,  1760,  and 
licensed  as  serjeant  at  law  on  September  1 1,  1770. 
He  had  received  a  classical  education,  and  the 
honorary  degree  of  Doctor  of  Laws  was  conferred 
upon  him  by  Yale  College  in  1790. 

The  late  Mr.  Justice  Bradley,  of  the  Supreme 
Court  of  the  United  States,  writes  :  — 

"  Old  Dr.  Cannon,  a  professor  in  New  Bruns- 
wick, told  me,  that  when  he  was  a  boy  fourteen  or 
fifteen  years  old  he  was  at  school  at  Hackensack 
and  used  to  love  to  attend  the  court  there,  and 
Dr.  Peter  Wilson,  the  principal  of  the  Academy, 


24  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

let  him  go  to  the  court,  and  two  brothers,  lawyers, 
elegant  men,  tall,  handsome  and  every  way  pre- 
possessing, used  to  attend  the  court,  coming  from 
Elizabethtown  for  that  purpose ;  Their  names 
were  Boudinot,  and  whenever  they  spoke,  crowds 
were  attracted  to  hear  them,  on  account  of  the 
elegance  and  eloquence  of  their  speeches ;  these 
brothers  were  Elias  and  Elisha  Boudinot.  I  wish 
I  could  describe  them  as  Dr.  Cannon  did ;  For 
many  years  no  professional  man  stood  so  high  in 
Newark  as  Elisha  Boudinot  during  the  same 
period;  he  was  a  Newark  lawyer  (from  Elizabeth- 
town  first)  of  high  reputation,  a  rigid  Presby- 
terian and  a  strong  Federalist,  a  supporter  of  the 
Federal  Constitution  and  of  Washington,  its  rep- 
resentative champion.  The  Federalists  of  New 
Jersey  wishing  to  have  him  on  the  Bench,  passed 
a  lawmaking  an  additional  Judge  of  the  Supreme 
Court,  there  were  only  three  before,  and  elected 
him  as  Judge.  Before  his  term  expired  the  Jef- 
fersonians  (or  the  mob)  got  the  political  power 
and  repealed  the  law,  so  that  when  his  term  ex- 
pired, there  was  no  election  to  fill  his  place."  ^ 

They,  the  two  Boudinots,  with  William  Pear- 
tree  Smith,  whose  daughter  Elisha  married  on 
October  14,  1778,  were  men  peculiarly  distin- 
guished by  the  British  raiders,  as  witness  the 
family  portraits  hewn  and  gashed  by  the  Hessians 
in  the  visitation  to  their  homes  ;  lucky  substitutes 
for  the  masters,  whose  absence  saved  their  own 

1  Letter  to  J.  J.  Boudinot. 


ELIE   BOUDINOT.  2$ 

heads,  for  which  rewards  were  offered  by  the 
enemy. 

The  father  of  these  brothers  was  Elias  Boudi- 
not,  who  married,  in  Antigua,  Catherine  Williams ; 
their  grandfather  Elias  married  Mary  Catherine 
Caree,  a  Huguenot,  and  their  great-grandfather, 
whose  wife  was  Janice  Berand,^  came  from  Marans, 
in  the  Province  of  Rochelle,  France,  in  1685,  hav- 
ing been  driven  thence  by  the  revocation  of  the 
Edict  of  Nantes.  He  first  went  to  London,  where 
he  became  naturalized  by  royal  letters  patent,  as 
he  says  in  his  will,  executed  in  London,  by  Andre 
Mincot,  Notaire  Royal :  "  Ayant  ete  constraint 
d'abandoner  ma  patrie  pour  eviter  la  continuelle 
persecution  qu'on  me  fesoit  pour  la  profession  de 
I'Evangile  I  retired  en  ce  lieu  avec  ma  femme  et 
nos  enfans.  Je  recommende  mon  ame  a  la  sainte 
et  glorieuse  Trinite,  &c.,  declarant  que  je  veux 
vivre  et  mourir  en  la  creance  et  profession  de  la 
religion  reformee  a  laquelle  j'ai  ete  par  la  grace  de 
Dieu  eleve." 

In  the  will  above  referred  to,  he  speaks  of  a 
contract  of  marriage  executed  by  Andre  Mincot, 
Notaire  Royal,  of  London,  and  also  of  his  son 
Elie  (Elias),  "  mon  fils  de  mon  premier  marriage." 
His  first  wife  was  Janice  Berand,  his  second, 
Susanne  Papin ;  there  were  three  other  children 
registered  in  London,  John,  Peter,  and  Mary, 
under  date  of  1686,  or  20th  March,  year  of  James 
II.,  the  name  there  spelled  Boudinet. 

From  London  the  first  Elias  (or  Elie)  of  this 

1  See  Jeanne  Barreau,  Genealogical  Notes,  Appendix, 


26  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

country  came  to  New  York  about  the  year  1687. 
He  was  one  of  the  founders  of  the  French  Church 
in  New  York,  and  its  first  elder;  he  had  also 
been  an  elder  in  the  Reformed  Church  at  Marans. 
He  was  able  to  bring  only  a  part  of  his  fortune 
with  him,  leaving  some  of  his  possessions  in 
France.  He,  with  Pieretz  (Ecclesiae  Gallicae 
pastor)  and  Eudolphus  Varick  (pastor  Ecclesiae 
reliquas  in  insula  longa),  addressed  to  their  Ma- 
jesties William  and  Mary  a  protest  against  the 
cruel  and  oppressive  acts  of  Lieutenant-Governor 
Leisler/ 

Though  settled  as  a  merchant  in  New  York, 
Elie  Boudinot  bought  extensive  lands  in  Bergen 
County,  N.  J. ;  but  the  family  did  not  become 
residents  of  that  State  until  about  the  epoch  of 
the  Revolution. 

Little  is  recorded  of  Mr.  Boudinot's  youth ;  his 
courtship  of  his  "  Eugenia "  began  at  an  early 
age.  When  eighteen  years  old,  in  reply  to  a 
letter  from  her,  in  which  she  appears  to  deprecate 
her  own  standing  as  a  Christian,  and  refers  to 
what  must  have  been  a  somewhat  unusually  frank 
and  independent  frame  of  mind  for  a  young  wo- 
man of  her  surroundings,  he  writes,  urging  that 
"she   press   forward    towards    a   heavenly   goal," 

1  Rev.  William  Hall,  from  Protestant  Exiles,  by  Rev.  David  C.  Agnew, 
London,  1871  ;  Family  Records  and  Wills:  Correspondence  with  M. 
Louis  de  Richemond,  archiviste  du  departement  correspondant  du  Minis- 
tere  Histoire,  La  Rochelle,  France. 

See  History  of  the  Huf;iienot  Eviii^ration  to  America,  by  Charles  W. 
Baird,  D.  D.,  in  which  he  refers  to  the  title  of  Seigneur  de  Cressy  as 
belonging  to  Elie  Boudinot. 


MR.    BOUDINOt's    MARRlAGB^HNjA-  27 

and  begs  that  she  "  will  not  let  one  who  is  but 
mortal,  and  flesh  and  blood  like  herself,  be  a 
means  of  drawing  off  her  soul  from  the  great 
things  of  another  world." 

"  I  return  you  my  most  cordial  acknowledgment 
for  your  expressions  of  the  thankful  heart  to  the 
Almighty  God  for  me,  oh  that  he  would  turn  the 
blessing  on  your  own  breast,  with  the  addition  of 
his  heavenly  influence  and  make  me  worthy  the 
title  you  so  lavishly  bestow  upon  me."  ^ 

In  1 761,  he  writes  her  of  his  disappointment, 
hoping  that  their  correspondence  would  by  that 
time  have  ceased,  owing  to  a  nearer  connection ; 
"yet,  nevertheless,  I  live  in  great  hopes  that  all 
is  for  the  best.  The  Lord  reigneth,  let  the  earth 
rejoice ;  knowing  that  neither  death  nor  life,  for 
the  present,  nor  things  to  come,  can  separate  us 
from  the  love  of  God,  who  has  assured  us  that  all 
things  work  together  for  their  good  that  fear  his 
holy  name." 

Mr.  Boudinot  married,  April  21,  1762,  Hannah 
Stockton.  Hannah  and  Elias,  previous  to  their 
marriage,  addressed  each  other  as  Eugenia  and 
Narcissus,  following  a  fashion  which  appears  to 
have  been  in  vogue  with  lovers  in  those  days, 
which,  to  our  modern,  practical,  and  workaday 
minds,  may  seem  somewhat  stilted ;  but  we  may 
apply  Mr.  Boudinot's  own  words,  when  writing 
to  his  only  daughter  later  as  to  her  conduct :  "  I 
am  too  well  acquainted  with  the  human  heart  to 

1  Family  letters. 


28  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

wish  you  entirely  to  change  the  manners  of  the 
present  day,  or  to  appear  altogether  affectedly 
singular.  It  will  be  most  for  your  advancement, 
as  well  as  happiness,  to  take  the  world  as  you 
find  it,  and  endeavor  to  convert  even  the  pre- 
judices of  fashion  and  common  life  into  such 
proper  channels,  as  to  make  them  subservient  to 
your  advancement  in  usefulness."  ^ 

Hannah  Stockton  was  the  sister  of  Richard 
Stockton,  the  patriot,  "  signer  "  from  New  Jersey, 
who  married  Annis  Boudinot,  the  sister  of  Elias 
Boudinot;  they,  with  the  Pintards  (who  were  also 
descended  from  Elie  Boudinot)  and  the  Smiths, 
formed  a  strong  family  alliance  in  favor  of  the 
patriot  cause;  and  many  services  were  rendered 
and  important  information  conveyed  to  the  Coun- 
cils of  the  State  and  to  the  commander-in-chief, 
through  them. 

Annis  Boudinot,  beautiful  and  gifted,  was  full 
of  courage  and  high  spirit.  It  was  after  her 
marriage  to  Richard  Stockton,  as  the  mistress 
of  Morven,  that  delightful  colonial  home  of  the 
Stocktons,  on  the  borders  of  Princeton,  that  her 
presence  of  mind  during  the  battle  of  Princeton 
enabled  her  to  secrete  and  save  important  state 
papers,  as  well  as  those  of  the  American  Whig 
Society  of  Princeton  College,  for  which  service 
her  name  was  placed  upon  its  rolls  as  an  honor- 
ary member.  Loving  verses  and  inspiriting  odes 
attest  the  quality  of  her  heart  and  mind.     Some 

1  Family  letters. 


MRS.    STOCKTONS    VERSES    TO    WASHINGTON.       29 

of  these  drew  from  Washington  graceful  and 
lively  epistles.  On  the  receipt  of  some  verses  on 
the  surrender  of  Cornwallis,  he  writes :  — 

Philadelphia,  Pa.,  July  22nd,  1782. 

Madam  :  — 

Your  favour  of  the  1 7th,  conveying  to  me  your 
pastoral  on  the  subject  of  Lord  Cornwallis'  cap- 
ture, has  given  me  great  satisfaction.  Had  you 
known  the  pleasure  it  would  have  communicated, 
I  flatter  myself  your  diffidence  would  not  have 
delayed  it  to  this  time.  Amidst  all  the  compli- 
ments which  have  been  made  me  on  this  occasion, 
be  assured,  madam,  that  the  agreeable  manner 
and  the  very  pleasing  sentiments  in  which  yours 
is  conveyed,  have  affected  my  mind  with  the  most 
lively  sensations  of  joy  and  satisfaction. 

This  address  from  a  person  of  your  refined 
taste  and  elegance,  affords  a  pleasure  beyond  my 
powers  of  utterance,  and  I  have  only  to  lament 
that  the  hero  of  your  pastoral,  is  not  more  de- 
serving of  your  pen,  but  the  circumstance  shall  be 
placed  among  the  happiest  events  of  my  life. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  madam,  your  most  obe- 
dient and  respectful  servant. 

Go.  Washington.^ 

The  following  she  addressed  to  Washington 
upon  the  announcement  of  the  peace  in  1783:  — 

"  With  all  thy  country's  blessmgs  on  thy  head. 
And  all  the  glory  that  encircles  man. 
Thy  deathless  fame  to  distant  nations  spread. 
And  realms  unblest  by  Freedom's  genial  plan ; 
1  Family  letters. 


30  ELIAS    BOUDINOT.       , 

Addressed  by  statesmen,  legislators,  kings, 

Revered  by  thousands  as  you  pass  along, 
While  every  muse  with  ardour  spreads  her  wings 

To  greet  our  hero  in  immortal  song; 
Say,  can  a  woman's  voice  an  audience  gain, 

And  stop  a  moment  thy  triumphal  car  ? 
And  wilt  thou  listen  to  a  peaceful  strain, 

Unskilled  to  paint  the  horrid  wrack  of  war  ? 
For  what  is  glory  —  what  are  martial  deeds  — 

Unpurified  at  Virtue's  awful  shrine? 
Full  oft  remorse  a  glorious  day  succeeds. 

The  motive  only  stamps  the  deed  divine. 
But  thy  last  legacy,  renowned  chief, 

Hath  decked  thy  brow  with  honours  more  sublime, 
Twined  in  thy  wreath  the  Christian's  firm  belief, 

And  nobly  owned  thy  faith  to  future  time."  i 

We  have   not  the  letter  in  which  she  incloses 
the  ode,  but  he  answers:  — 

Rocky  Hill,  Sept.  24th,  1783. 

You  apply  to  me,  my  dear  madam,  for  absolu- 
tion, as  though  you  had  committed  a  crime,  great 
in  itself,  yet  of  the  venial  class.  You  have  reason 
good,  for  I  find  myself  strangely  disposed  to  be 
a  very  indulgent  ghostly  adviser  on  this  occasion, 
and  notwithstanding  you  are  the  most  offending 
soul  alive  (that  is  if  it  is  a  crime  to  write  elegant 
poetry,)  yet  if  you  will  come  and  dine  with  me  on 
Thursday,  and  go  through  the  proper  course  of 
penitence  which  shall  be  prescribed,  I  will  strive 
hard  to  assist  you  in  expiating  these  poetical 
trespasses  on  this  side  purgatory.  Nay,  more,  if 
it  rests  with  me  to  direct  your  future  lucubrations, 
I  shall  certainly  urge  you  to  a  repetition  of  the 
same  conduct  —  on  purpose  to  show  what  an  ad- 

1  Family  letters. 


WASHINGTON  S    REPLY.  3 1 

mirable  knack  you  have  at  confession  and  refor- 
mation ;  and  so  without  more  hesitation  I  shall 
venture  to  recommend  the  muse  not  to  be  re- 
strained by  ill-grounded  timidity,  but  to  go  on 
and  prosper.  You  see,  madam,  when  once  the 
woman  has  tempted  us,  and  we  have  tasted  the 
forbidden  fruit,  there  is  no  such  thing  as  checking 
our  appetite,  whatever  the  consequences  may  be. 
You  will,  I  dare  say,  recognize  our  being  genuine 
descendants  of  those  who  are  reputed  to  be  our 
progenitors.  Before  I  come  to  the  more  serious 
conclusion  of  my  letter,  I  must  beg  leave  to 
say  a  word  or  two  about  these  fine  things  you 
have  been  telling  in  such  harmonious  and  beauti- 
ful numbers.  Fiction  is  to  be  sure  the  very  life 
and  soul  of  poetry.  All  poets  and  poetesses  have 
been  indulged  in  the  free  and  indisputable  use  of 
it  —  time  out  of  mind,  and  to  oblige  you  to  make 
such  an  excellent  poem  on  such  a  subject  without 
any  materials  but  those  of  simple  reality  would  be 
as  cruel  as  the  edict  of  Pharaoh,  which  compelled 
the  children  of  Israel  to  manufacture  bricks  with- 
out the  necessary  ingredients.  Thus  are  you 
sheltered  under  the  authority  of  prescription,  and 
I  will  not  dare  to  charge  you  with  an  inten- 
tional breach  of  the  rules  of  the  decalogue  in 
giving  so  bright  a  colouring  to  the  services  I  have 
been  enabled  to  render  my  country,  though  I  am 
not  conscious  of  deserving  more  at  your  hands 
than  what  the  purest  and  most  disinterested 
friendship  has  a  right  to  claim  ;  actuated  by  which 


32  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

you  will  permit  me  to  thank  you  in  the  most 
affectionate  manner  for  the  kind  wishes  you  have 
so  happily  expressed  for  me  and  the  partner  of 
all  my  domestic  enjoyments.  Be  assured  we  can 
never  forget  our  friend  at  Morven,  and  that  I 
am,  my  dear  madam,  with  every  sentiment  of 
friendship  and  esteem,  your  most  obedient  and 
obliged  servant. 

Go,  Washington.^ 

Mrs.  Stockton. 

Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot,  born  January  2,  1749, 
was  nine  years  younger  than  his  brother  Elias : 
between  them  there  existed  an  unusually  strong 
attachment,  and  the  younger  studied  law  with  the 
elder. 

Elisha  was  licensed  as  counselor  at  law  on  No- 
vember 17,  1773,  and  as  Serjeant  at  law  November 
10,*  1792. 

His  first  w^ife  was  the  daughter  of  William 
Peartree  Smith,  grandson  of  William  Peartree, 
mayor  of  New  York,  1703-1707.^ 

Mr.  Smith,  with  his  friends,  Governor  Living- 
ston and  the  Boudinots,  removed  from  New  York 
to  Elizabethtown  at  the  same  time.  He  gradu- 
ated at  Yale  College  in  1742,  studied  law,  but, 
being  possessed  of  an  ample  fortune,  did  not  prac- 
tice. He  was  an  ardent  patriot,  and  employed 
his  pen  as  the  advocate  of  his  country's  cause. 
Articles  of   his    appeared    in    the  "  Independent 

1  Family  letters  and  papers. 

2  Martha  Lamb's  History  of  New  York. 


COMMISSARY  OF  PRISONERS  FOR  NEW  JERSEY.       33 

Reflector,"  of  New  York,  from  1752  to  1753  and 
1754.  He  was  mayor  of  the  borough  of  Eliza- 
bethtown  for  several  years,  a  member  of  the  Com- 
mittee of  Safety,  deputy  to  the  Colonial  Congress, 
and  after  the  Revolution  one  of  the  judges  of  the 
Court  of  Common  Pleas  for  the  county  of  Essex. 

Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot's  second  wife  was  Rachel 
Bradford,  sister  of  Washington's  attorney-gen- 
eral, a  woman  noted  for  her  intellectual  endow- 
ments, and  correspondence  with  many  of  the  great 
men  of  the  age,  both  in  America  and  Europe.  His 
third  wife  was  Catherine  Beekman,  daughter  of 
James  Beekman,  Esq.,  of  New  York.  It  was  in 
her  father's  house,  then  in  possession  of  the  Brit- 
ish, that  the  young  patriot,  Nathan  Hale,  was 
confined  and  tried  by  court-martial  and  sentenced 
to  be  hanged. 

Elisha  Boudinot's  strong  personality  has  left 
its  impress  upon  the  times.  In  various  public 
and  official  documents  we  find  the  records  of  this 
younger  member  of  the  family  circle.  Some  of 
these  carry  us  back  to  the  opening  scenes  of  the 
revolutionary  struggle  in  New  Jersey.  He  was 
elected  commissary  of  prisoners  for  that  State  by 
joint  meeting,  December  12,  1778.  The  similarity 
in  the  names  of  the  two  brothers  and  the  ofiices 
they  held  might  lead  to  some  confusion,  unless 
the  reader  is  reminded  that  Elias  Boudinot  was 
commissary-general  of  prisoners,  while  his  bro- 
ther Elisha  was  commissary  of  prisoners  for  the 
State  of  New  Jersey  only.     The  latter  was  also 


34  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

one  of  the  Committee  of  Correspondence  for  the 
township  of  Newark  in  May,  1775.  On  August 
4,  we  find  him  acting  with  Lewis  Ogden  and 
William  Burnet  as  a  special  committee,  writing 
to  Captain  Ross,  commander  of  a  company  of 
riflemen,  approving  of  his  conduct,  as  follows :  — 

TO  CAPTAIN    ROSS,  COMMANDER  OF  A    COMPANY  OF  RIFLE- 
MEN. 

August  4th,  1775. 

Sir: 

We  the  Subscribers  being  members  of  the 
special  Committee  for  the  Township  of  New-Ark, 
County  of  Essex  &  Province  of  New  Jersey  hav- 
ing carefully  examined  James  Campbell  are  of 
opinion  from  the  Inconsistency  of  his  Story,  and 
his  refusing  to  give  us  satisfaction  as  to  his  Con- 
nections or  Business  and  from  his  Behaviour  at 
Philadelphia  and  in  this  Province  towards  your 
Company,  that  you  acted  very  Right,  and  in  the 
Line  of  your  Duty  in  confining  the  said  Camp- 
bell, as  he  might  have  given  Information  to  the 
Man  of  War,  of  your  Rout,  which  would  have 
been  attended  with  bad  Consequences,  and  do 
advise  you  to  take  him  with  you  into  New  Eng- 
land, where  you  can  leave  him  with  some  Com- 
mittee who  will  be  able  to  take  Charge  of  him 
otherwise  to  carry  him  on  to  the  Camp. 
We  are  Your  H'ble  Servts 

Lewis  Ogden 


Wm.  Burnet 
Elisha  Boudinot 


August  4th  1775 


TO   GOVERNOR   LIVINGSTON.  35 

To  Capt.  Ross  Commander 
of  a  Company  of  Riflemen. 
(Endorsed)     Examination  of  James 

Campbell  at  Newark 
Newark  Augt.  4,  1775 
from  Elias  Boudinot 
&  others 

to  Capt.  Ross.i 

REV.    ALEXANDER    MCWHORTER    AND     MR.    ELISHA    BOUDI- 
NOT  TO    GOVERNOR   LIVINGSTON. 

Newark  April  26,  1777 

May  it  please  your  Excellency:  The  unhappy 
situation  of  this  town  being  so  contiguous  to  the 
enemy,  who  threaten  us  daily  with  an  invasion, 
renders  it  absolutely  necessary  that  the  militia  of 
this  place  should  be  put  on  a  more  respectable 
footing  and  officered  with  gentlemen  whose  tried 
fidelity  in  a  time  of  distress  entitles  them  to  the 
confidence  of  their  country.  A  number  of  the 
inhabitants  have  agreed  to  recommend  as  officers 
the  persons  mentioned  in  the  enclosed  petition  to 
your  Excellency.  And  as  some  particular  rea- 
sons render  it  absolutely  necessary  that  no  time 
should  be  lost  in  having  proper  officers  appointed, 
we  have  sent  Mr.  Banks  as  an  express.  He  is  a 
person  who  is  capable  of  giving  a  true  represen- 
tation of  the  state  of  the  town  and  who  may  be 
depended  on.    If  your  Excellency  and  the  council 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  Letters  to  Wash-' 
ingtoity  vol.  vi.  p.  122. 

A  clerical  error  in  the  indorsement  of  this  letter  as  from  Elias  instead 
of  Elisha  Boudinot  in  index  of  Department  of  State,  Washington. 


36  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

should  approve  of  the  gentlemen  recommended, 
we  beg  Mr.  Banks  may  be  dispatched  with  the 
commissions  immediately. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be  your  Excellency's 
ob't  and 

humble  servants 

A.  McWhorter 
Elisha  Boudinot^ 

Governor  Livingston 

MR.    JOSEPH    HEDDEN,   JR.,    TO    GOVERNOR   LIVINGSTON. 

Newark  June  21st  1777 

Sir: 

I  take  this  opportunity  by  a  light  horse  sent  by 
Mayor  Hayes,  to  transmit  to  your  Excellency  the 
names  of  the  women  that  have  their  husbands  at 
New  York  or  Bergen,  with  the  enemy.  Nothing 
new  in  this  town  since  I  saw  your  Excellency.  I 
am  daily  applied  to  by  some  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  place  to  nominate  some  fit  person  to  act 
as  deputy  Surrogate.  There  are  a  number  of 
wills  to  be  proved,  and  letters  of  administration 
granted  and  no  person  in  this  county  qualified  to 
act  in  that  office.  If  your  Excellency  would  please 
to  appoint  Elisha  Boudinot  Esqr.  to  that  office 
it  would  greatly  oblige  a  number  of  the  inhabitants 
of  this  town.  There  yesterday  came  to  this  town 
one  Caleb  Bruen,  who  was  taken  prisoner  about 
eight  weeks  ago  by  the  enemy,  at  or  near  Par- 
amus.     I   suppose  he  is  sent  by  Mr.  Brown  and 

1  From  correspondence  of  the  executive  of  New  Jersey,  Revohctionary 
Correspondence,  p.  58. 


ELISHA    BOUDINOTS    MILITARY    APPOINTMENT.       37 

Mr.  Isaac  Ogden  to  get  intelligence.  He  is  to 
return  back  to  New  York  in  three  or  four  days, 
and  shows  a  pass  from  Gen.  Pigot  to  come  to 
Newark  and  return  to  New  York.  If  your  Ex- 
cellency thinks  proper  said  Bruen  should  be  per- 
mitted to  return  to  New  York,  please  to  inform 
me  by  the  bearer. 

I  am  your  Excellency's  most  ob't  and  h'e 

servant 

Jos.  Hedden  Jr.^ 

His  Excellency  Gov.  Livingston 
'       MR.    ELISHA   BOUDINOT   TO    GOVERNOR   LIVINGSTON. 

Newark  Oct.  9th,  1777. 

Sir 

I  received  your  favor  yesterday  relative  to  the 
appointment  with  which  your  Excellency  and  the 
Committee  of  Safety  have  honored  me.  The  in- 
adequate salary  would  not  have  been  the  obstacle 
against  my  accepting  the  office,  as  during  the 
present  distress  of  my  country,  I  would  freely  de- 
vote my  time  to  its  service,  and  I  should  have 
immediately  set  out  for  Bordentown  on  the  recep- 
tion of  your  letter,  had  I  not  previous  to  this, 
received  an  office  in  the  military  department.  I 
am  in  hopes,  however,  to  get  liberty  to  act  as 
secretary  for  the  short  time  you  will  set,  which  I 
suppose  will  be  no  longer  than  the  meeting  of  the 
Legislature. 

I  shall  be  able  to  determine  this  on  Monday, 
which  if  it  is  according  to  my  wishes,  I  will  set 

1  New  Jersey  Revolutionary  Correspondence,  p.  72. 


38  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

out  on  Tuesday.  If  it  should  be  otherwise, 
must  beg  your  Excellency  and  the  Committee  of 
Safety  to  accept  of  my  thanks  for  the  polite  offer 
and  to  be  assured  that  it  is  with  the  greatest  re- 
luctance, if  I  am  obliged  to  decline  the  appoint- 
ment. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  your  Excellency's 
most  ob't 

and  humble  serv't, 

Elisha  Boudinot 

His  Excellency  Gov.  Livingston  1 

MR.    ELISHA    BOUDINOT   TO    COLONEL    ALEXANDER 
HAMILTON. 

Head  Quarters 
29th  Aug.  1778. 
Saturday  Morg  5  Oc- 

The  person  mentioned  to  you  came  over  last 
night  and  informs  me  that  Gen^  Clinton  with  his 
whole  Army  has  set  off  for  Rhode  Island.  They 
are  gone  up  the  Sound  and  across  the  East  end 
of  Long  Island  there  are  only  a  small  guard 
left  in  the  City  —  not  a  canoe  is  suffered  to  pass 
up  the  East  River  least  it  should  be  known,  they 
moved  with  the  utmost  secrecy  —  as  it  might  be, 
you  have  not  heard  of  this  movement  I  send  this 
by  express 

I  am,  with  esteme 

Yours  as  ever 

Elisha  Boudinot.^ 

The  "  New  Jersey  Journal "  has  in  its  issue  of 
July  5,  1780,  the  following:  — 

^  Selections  from  New  Jersey  Revolutiojtary  Correspondence,  p.  105. 
2  Family  papers. 


ESSEX    COUNTY    LADIES.  39 

"  On  July  4th  Mrs.  Josiah  Hornblower  was 
designated  with  Mrs.  Governor  Livingston,  and 
Mrs.  Elisha  Boudinot  and  Mrs.  William  Burnet 
as  a  committee  of  Essex  Countv  ladies  with  others 
equally  prominent  throughout  the  State  to  receive 
subscriptions  for  the  succor  of  the  country's  de- 
fenders in  the  field." 

At  the  present  writing  there  still  exists  in 
active  operation  a  society  of  ladies  for  aiding  the 
poor  of  Newark,  known  as  the  "  Female  Charitable 
Society,"  which  had  its  origin  in  Mrs.  Boudinot's 
parlor.  It  is  largely  carried  on  by  the  descendants 
of  the  ladies  there  assembled ;  and  the  seed  there 
sown  has  grown  into  a  most  flourishing  tree,  as 
shown  by  the  fine  building  dedicated  to  the  work 
of  "  helping  the  poor  to  help  themselves,"  with 
its  kindergarten,  cooking,  sewing,  and  industrial 
schools,  supplemented  by  mothers'  meetings,  and 
a  children's  refuge. 

Judge  Elisha  Boudinot's  house  is  still  standing 
in  the  centre  of  Park  Place ;  its  ample  rooms,  and 
dining-room  fifty  feet  long,  testifying  to  its  old- 
time  hospitality ;  but  the  spacious  garden,  which 
covered  the  entire  block,  has  given  place  to  mod- 
ern encroachment. 


CHAPTER  III. 

Respecting  prisoners  captured  by  the  British.  —  General  Washington 
requests  Mr.  Boudinot  to  accept  a  commission  as  commissary-general 
of  prisoners.  —  Resolution  of  Congress  granting  the  same.  —  Exertions 
of  Mr.  Boudinot  to  obtain  supplies  for  prisoners.  —  Supplies  funds. — 
General  Washington  tells  him  he  will  share  losses.  —  Resolves  of  Con- 
gress to  issue  warrants  in  favor  of  Elias  Boudinot  for  sums  borrowed 
of  him.  —  Mr.  Loring  to  General  Washington,  on  distress  of  prisoners 
in  New  York,  April  24,  1777.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Richard  Peters,  Esq., 
regarding  prisoners.  —  Enemy  retreating  to  Brunswick.  —  Mr.  Boudinot 
to  Governor  Livingston,  informing  him  of  the  movement  of  the  army.  — 
Harassing  British  army  in  retreat.  —  Surprise  of  General  Lincoln  at 
Bound  Brook.  —  Commissary  Loring  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  — 4th  July.  — 
Removal  of  family  from  Elizabethtown  to  Baskingridge.  —  Daughter 
Susan  :  anecdotes  relating  to  her  childhood.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  from 
camp  near  New  Windsor  to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Washington  watching 
the  enemy,  undecided  as  to  their  destination.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mrs. 
Boudinot  from  Philadelphia,  September  12.  —  Battle  of  Brandywine. — 
To  Mrs.  Boudinot  from  headquarters  at  Germantown,  September  4.  — 
From  camp  near  Schuylkill,  September  23.  —  Same  day  Potts  Grove. — 
The  enemy  on  the  move  up  Schuylkill.  —  Mr.  Jeremiah  Wadsworth  to 
Mr.  Boudinot. 

The  papers  and  letters  which  follow  from  Elias 
Boudinot  carry  us  with  him  from  his  seat  in  the 
Provincial  Congress  to  the  camps  and  into  the 
path  of  the  army.  We  see  him  filled  with  anxi- 
eties for  his  country  and  with  tender  solicitude 
for  his  family,  while  exposed  to  the  rigors  of 
Valley  Forge,  and  endeavoring  to  fill  up  gaps  in 
the  public  purse  by  drafts  upon  his  own  pocket, 
to  feed,  clothe,  and  shelter  his  needy  prisoners. 

In  the  discharge  of  his  duties  as  commissary- 


Albany  c 


ROUTE  OF  THE  COMMISSARY  GENERAL  ELIAS  BOUDINOT 
1777-177^ 


OFFICE    OF    COMMISSARY    OF    PRISONERS.  4 1 

general  of  prisoners  and  conducting  the  intelli- 
gence of  the  army  doubtless  began  that  respect, 
esteem,  and  affection  for  the  great  leader  which 
he  possessed  in  such  a  high  degree. 

Up  to  this  time  our  prisoners  captured  by  the 
British  had  been  treated  merely  as  rebels,  and  suf- 
fered great  cruelty  at  their  hands,  until  retaliation 
and  the  remonstrance  of  the  commander-in-chief 
induced  a  change. 

"  No  commissary  of  prisoners  having  been  ap- 
pointed, they  had  been  turned  over  to  the  different 
states  and  committees  ;  and  it  became  necessary  to 
search  out  and  collect  them,  in  order  to  their  ex- 
change. Great  delays  were  unavoidably  produced 
by  this  state  of  things,  and  the  suffering  Ameri- 
cans were  taught  to  impute  the  continuance  of 
their  captivity  to  their  own  general.  In  -addifion 
to  this,  it  not  infrequently  happened  that  the  Brit- 
ish prisoners  were  sent  in  without  the  knowledge 
of  General  Washington,  and  in  some  cases  they 
passed  unobserved,  wdth  permits  from  the  state 
authority,  through  his  camp,  directly  into  that  of 
the  enemy."  ^ 

Orders  and  resolutions  of  Congress  respecting 
the  exchange  and  treatment  of  prisoners  compli- 
cated matters  still  further.  Many  of  our  prisoners, 
too,  were  so  enfeebled  by  hardship  that  they  died 
when  sent  out  for  the  purpose  of  being  exchanged, 
and  Washington  refused  a  return  for  these. 

Sir  William  Howe  refused  to  permit  a  resident 

1  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington^  note  on  p.  26. 


42  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

agent  in  New  York  for  supplying  our  prisoners ; 
these  facts,  with  the  exchange  of  General  Lee 
and  Ethan  Allen,  brought  about  angry  discussion 
and  delay.  The  office  and  the  officer  were  alike 
new  and  untried;  everything  in  the  department 
had  to  be  defined  and  regulated,  abuses  sujDpressed, 
and  law  and  order  established. 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes:  — 

"In  the  spring  of  1777  General  Washington 
wrote  me  a  letter  dated  Morristown  April  ist, 
1777,  requesting  me  to  accept  a  commission  as 
commissary-General  of  Prisoners  in  the  Army  of 
America.  I  waited  on  him  and  politely  declined 
the  task,  urging  the  wants  of  the  Prisoners  and 
having  nothing  to  supply  them :  He  very  kindly 
objected  to  the  conduct  of  gentlemen  of  the  coun- 
try refusing  to  join  him  in  his  arduous  Struggle. 
That  he  had  nothing  in  view  but  the  salvation 
of  his  Country,  but  it  was  impossible  for  him  to 
accomplish  it  alone  :  That  if  men  of  character  and 
influence  would  not  come  forward  and  join  him 
in  his  exertions,  all  would  be  lost  —  Affected  by 
this  address  and  Supposing  that  I  could  be  of 
some  service  to  the  Prisoners  and  at  the  same 
time  have  an  eye  on  the  military  Power  and  pre- 
vent its  encroachments  on  the  Civil  authority,  I 
consented  to  accept  the  Commission,  on  the  Gen- 
eral's assurance  that  I  should  be  supplied  by  the 
secret  Committee  of  Congress  with  hard  money 
for  the  relief  of  Prisoners  and  that  I  should  only 


COMMISSION.  43 

be  subject  to  his  orders,  in  the  conduct  of  my 
department."  ^ 

With  his  kind  heart  and  benevolent  disposition, 
he  doubtless  feared  to  witness  distress  which  he 
could  not  relieve.  He  enters,  however,  almost 
immediately  upon  the  duties  of  the  office. 

On  June  6,  1777,  Congress  resolved:  — 

"  Tliat  a  commission  be  granted  to  Ellas  Bou- 
dinot  Esq'  as  Commissary  General  of  Prisoners, 
the  said  commission  to  be  dated  the  15  day  of 
May  last  and  Mr.  Boudinot  to  be  allowed  the  pay 
and  rations  of  a  colonel.  That  Elias  Boudinot 
be  empowered  to  appoint  two  Deputy  Commis- 
sioners of  Prisoners  the  said  Deputies  to  be  al- 
lowed the  pay  and  rations  of  Majors"  —  and  on 
June  23^  "  Resolved  that  Elias  Boudinot  Esq*" 
Commissary  Genl  of  Prisoners  have  power  to 
appoint  three  Deputies  under  him  in  addition  to 
those  he  heretofore  was  authorized  to  appoint. 

"Further  resolved  that  the  Commissary  of  Pris- 
oners be  empowered  to  make  such  contracts  on 
behalf  of  the  United  States  of  America  and  to 
make  such  reasonable  alterations  from  the  direc- 
tions of  the  board  of  War  as  he  may  find  neces- 
sary to  obtain  an  equitable  bargain  for  the  mutual 
supply  of  Prisoners."^ 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes  :  — 

"  Soon  after  I  had  entered  my  Department,  the 
Applications  of  the  Prisoners  were  so  numerous 

1  Reminiscences ,  Elias  Boudinot^  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 

2  Journal  of  Congress. 


44  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

and  their  distress  was  so  urgent,  that  I  exerted 
every  Nerve  to  obtain  Supplies  but  in  Vain  — 
Excepting  ^600 —  I  had  received  from  the  Secret 
Committee  on  Bills  Of  Exchange  at  my  first 
Entrance  into  the  Office  —  I  could  not  by  any 
Means  get  a  Farthing  more,  except  in  Conti- 
nental Money,  which  was  of  no  Avail  in  New 
York — I  applied  to  the  General  describing  my 
delicate  Situation  and  the  continual  Application 
of  the  Officers,  painting  their  extreme  Distress 
and  urging  the  Assurance  they  had  rec"^  that  on 
my  Appointment,  I  was  to  be  furnished  with  ade- 
quate Means  for  their  full  Relief  —  The  General 
appeared  greatly  distressed  and  assured  me  that 
it  was  out  of  his  Power  to  afford  me  any  Supplies 
—  I  proposed  drawing  Cloathing  from  the  public 
stores,  but  to  this  he  objected  as  not  having  any- 
thing like  a  sufficient  Supply  for  the  Army  —  He 
urged  my  considering  &  adopting  the  best  Means 
in  my  Power  to  satisfy  the  Necessities  of  the  Pris- 
oners &  he  would  confirm  them  —  I  told  him  I 
knew  of  no  Means  in  my  Power  but  to  take  what 
Monies  I  had  of  my  own  &  to  borrow  from  my 
Friends  in  New  York,  to  accomplish  the  desirable 
Purpose  —  He  greatly  encouraged  me  to  the  At- 
tempt, promising  me  that  if  I  finally  met  with 
any  Loss,  he  would  divide  it  with  Me  —  On  this 
I  began  to  afford  them  some  Supplies  of  Pro- 
visions over  &  above  what  the  Enemy  afforded 
them,  which  was  very  small  &  very  indifferent."^ 

1  Reminiscences,  Elias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


LOAN    OFFICE    CERTIFICATES.  45 

On  December  20,  1777,  Congress  resolved:  — 

"  That  the  following  warrants  be  drawn  on 
Thomas  Smith,  Commissioner  of  the  Loan  Office 
of  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  viz:  one  in  favor  of 
Elias  Boudinot  for  5000  dollars  to  be  paid  in 
loan-office  certificates  bearing  date  the  21st  of 
May  last  being  in  discharge  of  so  much  borrowed 
of  him  at  that  time  by  William  Palfrey  pay-master 
General " 

"One  in  favour  of  Elias  Boudinot  for  1200 
dollars  to  be  dated  the  7th  of  July  last  being  in 
discharge  of  so  much  borrowed  of  him  at  that 
time  by  W.  Palfrey  Pay-master  General."  ^ 

Again  on  March  18,  1778,  for  the  sum  of 
$25,000  —  sums  of  far  greater  value  than  the  like 
amount  in  the  present  day,  calling  for  great  sacri- 
fice on  the  part  of  the  lender ;  thus  drawing  from 
his  own  private  revenue,  and  being  at  times  com- 
pelled to  beg  from  one  to  another,  to  supply  the 
wants  of  the  starving  and  shoeless  soldiers  as  well 
as  to  abandon  a  lucrative  and  congenial  profession 
and  the  comforts  of  home,  to  follow  the  army  and 
endure  the  discomforts  and  dangers  of  camp  life. 

Mr.  Joshua  Loring,  British  commissary-general 
of  prisoners  writes  to  General  Washington :  — 

New  York  Headquarters  April  24  1777. 

Sir 

I  am  directed  by  his  Excellency  Sir  William 
Howe  to  inform  you,  that  your  Prisoners   here 

1  Reports  of  the  Board  of  Treasury,  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of 
State,  Washington.  '  ' 


46  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

are  in  the  greatest  Distress  for  want  of  cloathing. 
The  sick  in  the  Hospitals  are  particularly  in 
Want  of  this  Article,  so  essential  to  their  Health ; 
To  guard  against  the  sufferings  which  the  Pris- 
oners lately  in  our  hands  underwent  for  want  of 
cloathing  and  of  the  other  necessaries  which  they 
had  a  Right  to  expect  from  their  friends  and  to 
prevent  the  unjust  Interpretations  which  have 
been  thrown  out  with  Regard  to  their  Sufferings, 
His  Excellency  has  thought  proper  to  have  this 
early  information  conveyed  to  you,  that  you  may 
take  such  steps  as  you  shall  judge  necessary  for 
their  immediate  supply. 

I  am  likewise  to  inform  you  that  the  General 
has  no  objection  to  your  employing  Mr.  Pintard 
or  any  other  Person  in  furnishing  your  Prisoners 
with  Provision,  or  any  other  necessary  articles  you 
may  be  desirous  of  sending  in  to  them. 
I  am  Sir  with  due  Respect 
your  most  obedient  and 

most  Humble  Servant 

JOS^    LORING 

Commissary  for  Prisoners.^ 

General  Washington,  &c. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    RICHARD    PETERS,    ESQ. 

Camp  Middle  Brook,  June  20  1777 

Sir, 

Give  me  leave  to  trouble  you  with  a  state  of 
our  unhappy  Prisoners  with  the  Enemy  on  Long 
Island  &   New  York,  as  I  cannot  doubt  but  the 

1  Family  papers. 


LETTER    TO    BOARD    OF    WAR.  47 

Board  of  War  will  exert  themselves  &  have  some- 
thing done  for  those  brave  men,  after  such  a  scene 
of  suffering  as  they  have  gone  thro  — 

The  last  evening,  an  officer  from  that  Island, 
who  has  broke  his  Parole,  called  upon  me,  and 
gave  me  such  a  history  of  their  treatment  as  made 
my  Heart  ake. 

He  assures  me  that  most  of  them  are  without 
Cloathes,  food  or  Friends  —  Daily  insulted  with 
being  deserted  by  their  General,  the  Congress  and 
all  those  who  have  first  brought  them  into  the 
scrape,  and  afterwards  totally  neglected  them  — 
at  the  same  time  tempted  with  the  fairest  Pros- 
pects, upon  their  Submission  &  joining  the  Kings 
Troops  — 

He  assures  me  that  but  a  Short  time  since,  he 
saw  Col.  Miles,  that  brave  officer,  almost  in  rags ; 
and  that  a  Lieut  Col  has  been  seen  taking  care  of 
a  British  officers  Horse. 

Upon  this  Gentleman  (my  informant)  being 
ordered  to  return  to  his  Parole  on  Long  Island  (by 
his  Excellency  Gen^  Washington)  he  assured  me 
that  he  would  prefer  being  shot  to  returning  to 
the  Enemy —  I  have  been  trying  for  two  months 
to  get  a  few  Cloathes  for  these  poor  fellows,  hav- 
ing had  the  Generals  Warrant  for  loo  suits  but 
have  not  yet  been  able  to  accomplish  it,  altho 
when  at  Philadelphia,  I  saw  them  began  to  be 
counted  out,  but  have  not  heard  any  thing  of  them 
since. 

The  Bills  of  Exchange  lately  sent,  did  but  trifle 


48  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

with  their  wants,  as  the  sum  was  not  equal  to  one 
Eighth  of  their  arrears  for  Board  —  The  secret 
Committee  promised  a  farther  sum  in  Specie, 
which  I  assured  them  they  might  depend  upon, 
but  it  has  not  yet  appeared. 

How  far  the  Information  above  mentioned  may 
be  depended  upon  as  to  the  particulars,  I  will  not 
take  upon  me  to  say  ;  but  I  have  not  the  least 
doubt,  from  the  concurrent  Testimony  of  all  that 
have  come  out  since  I  have  been  in  the  service, 
added  to  their  appearance,  but  that  their  Situation 
is  truly  deplorable,  and  deserves  much  greater 
attention  from  Congress  than  has  been  yet  given 
to  them  — 

As  for  my  own  part,  it  would  give  me  pleasure 
to  do  anything  in  my  power  to  relieve  them  — 
From  the  best  Information  I  can  get,  it  will  take 
lOO  suits  of  officers  Cloathes  &  200  suits  of 
soldiers  to  satisfy  the  most  needy  — 

Since  writing  the  above,  I  have  been  called 
off  &  distressed  with  the  enclosed  Examination. 
The  Examinant  is  still  in  the  Enemys  power, 
being  only  on  his  Parole  for  five  days,  therefore 
a  necessity  of  keeping  his  Name  secret  — 

Enclosed  you  have  also  a  Letter,  as  it  came  in 
from  the  Enemys  Lines,  with  two  others 
I  am  with  great  respect 
Sir 
Your  very  HuWe  Servt 

Elias  Boudinot 
Commissary  Gen  of  Prisoners. 

Richard  Peters,  Esq. 


FOLLOWING   THE    ENEMY.  49 

The  Enemy  have  retreated  with  Precipitation 
to  Brunswick,  and  we  are  informed  are  pushing 
for  New  York  —  June  20,  1777. 

No.  191,  Letter  from  E.  Boudinot, 
C.  G.  of  Prisoners, 
dated  Camp  Middle  Brook, 
June  20,  1777.^ 

MR.     BOUDINOT    TO     HIS     EXCELLENCY,    WILLIAM    LIVING- 
STON. 

Quibble  Town,  June  25,  1777. 

Dear  Sir:  — 

Having  obtained  a  moment  of  Leisure  in  the 
general  movement,  I  improve  it  to  inform  you, 
that  the  General  being  informed  on  last  Saturday 
afternoon,  that  the  enemy  intended  leaving  Bruns- 
wick that  night,  he  ordered  out  proper  detach- 
ments to  endeavor  to  harass  them  in  their  retreat. 
Our  troops  did  not  appear  till  day  light,  when 
General  Howe  with  the  rear,  consisting  of  about 
4000  men  immediately  left  the  Town.  Coll. 
Morgan  came  up  with  a  detachment  of  about 
1500  men,  and  not  knowing  their  number,  at- 
tacked them  with  a  small  party  of  150  men. 
This  attack  made  with  chosen  men,  was  at  the 
mean  distance  of  about  20  yds.,  so  that  every  shot 
took  place.  We  are  well  assured  that  their  loss 
is  the  greatest  part  of  500  men.  Our  men 
finally  came  off  with  the  loss  of  6  or  8  killed 
and  wounded.  The  enemy  are  now  encamped  on 
Strawberry  Hill  in  Woodbridge.  The  chief  part 
of  our  army  is  here,  two  or  three  Brigades  being 

1  Washington  Letters,  No.  78,  vol.  ii.  B,  p.  237>  Department  of  State, 
Washington,  D.  C. 


50  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

near  Woodbrldge,  The  whole  army  are  in  high 
spirits  and  the  better  opinion  is,  that  the  enemy 
are  leaving  this  Province. 

Am  dear  Sir  your  very  humble  servt. 

Elias  Boudinot. 

P.  S.  Brunswick  is  almost  entirely  destroyed, 
it  looks  more  like  a  collection  of  gaols  than  dwell- 
ing houses/ 

His  Excellency  Wm.  Livingston,  Esq. 
Morris  Town 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes :  — 

"In  1777  Gen^  Lincoln  was  surprised  just  at 
the  dawn  of  Day  in  his  Quarters  at  Bound  Brook, 
by  Lord  Cornwallis  who  had  marched  from  Bruns- 
wick, passed  his  out  Sentinels,  captured  or  de- 
stroyed his  main  Guard,  and  was  at  the  Genu's 
Quarters  before  he  knew  anything  of  it  — ■  He 
had  but  just  time  to  escape  out  of  a  back  Door  — 
Several  Men  were  killed  and  one  or  Two  pieces 
of  Ordinance  taken  —  It  was  sometime  a  Mys- 
tery how  this  had  been  effected  with  so  much 
Secrecy  till  I  was  well  informed  by  a  Gent'  of 
Note  who  was  with  the  Enemy  at  Brunswick,  that 
a  certain  Farmer  whose  name  he  mentioned  and 
who  lived  in  the  Midst  of  our  Camp,  had  com- 
municated to  Lord  Cornwallis  our  Countersign 
by  which  he  had  accomplished  his  Intentions  — 
My  Spirit  was  very  much  roused  agt  this  Traitor ; 
and  with  great  Zeal  I  went  to  Genl  Washington 
with  the   Information,  stating  the  Substance  of  it, 

1  Sparks  MSS.,  Harvard  College  Library. 


A    SPY   IN    CAMP.  51 

but  keeping  back  the  Name  of  my  Informant,  as 
he  had  assured  me  his  Life  depended  on  my  Pru- 
dence &  faithfulness  to  him  —  I  urged  the  Genl 
Orders  to  seize  the  Culprit  without  Delay  & 
make  an  Example  of  him.  The  Gen^  did  not 
immediately  answer  me  —  He  then  said  did  you 
not  tell  me  that  the  Life  of  your  Informant  de- 
pended on  your  Secrecy  —  Would  you  take  up  a 
citizen  and  confine  him  without  letting  him  know 
his  Crime  &  his  Accuser —  No  —  Let  him  alone 
for  the  Present,  watch  him  carefully,  and  if  you 
can  catch  him  in  any  other  Crime,  so  as  to  con- 
front him  by  Witnesses  w^e  will  then  punish  him 
severely  —  My  Mortification  was  very  great,  to 
think,  that  I  who  had  entered  the  Army  to  watch 
the  Military  &  to  preserve  the  Civil  Rights  of  my 
Fellow  Citizens,  should  be  so  reproved  by  a  mili- 
tary Man,  who  was  so  interested  in  having  acted 
otherwise  —  I  re c"^  it  as  a  severe  Lecture  on  my 
own  Imprudence."  ^ 

Washington's  postscript,  dated  April  13,  to 
his  letter  of  April  12,  dated  "Headquarters, 
Morris  Town,"  addressed  to  the  President  of 
Congress  (John  Hancock)  is:  — 

"13th.  I  have  this  moment  rec'^  a  line  from 
Gen^  Lincoln  informing  me  that  the  Enemy  at- 
tempted to  Surprize  him  early  this  morning  at  his 
post  at  Bound  Brook,  but  he  made  good  his  re- 
treat to  the  pass  of  the  Mountains  Justin  his  rear, 
with  trifling  loss."  ^ 

1  Elias  Boudinot,  Reminiscences,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 

2  Letters  of  Presidents,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


52  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

Mr.  Boudinot's  solicitations  and  peremptory 
demands  on  behalf  of  our  prisoners  in  the  hands 
of  the  enemy  appear  to  have  aroused  the  ire 
of  the  British  commissioner.  Declinino:  to  "  write 
■briefs"  to  the  lawyer  commissary  on  our  side,  he 
is  betrayed  into  a  lengthy  scold,  as  follows  :  — 

MR.    LORING    TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

New  York  4th  July  1777. 

Sir 

When  I  acquainted  General  Washington  of  the 
Desertion  of  a  number  of  his  Officers  I  made  no 
comments  of  my  own  on  the  Subject,  but  just 
stated  the  Facts  :  It  appears  to  me  that  had  you 
been  pleased  to  observe  a  like  conduct,  it  would 
have  enabled  us  to  have  transacted  our  Business 
with  Propriety  and  w^ould  have  put  it  in  our 
Power  to  have  relieved  the  Distress  of  numbers  of 
unhappy  Prisoners.  I  am  not  disposed  to  write 
Briefs.  The  chief  Business  between  you  and  me 
is  but  lost  in  those  unnecessary  altercations  in 
which  you  wish  to  engage  me.  They  are  foreign 
at  least  to  the  Purport  of  my  Commission,  &  until 
you  are  pleased  simply  to  propose  the  matters 
that  may  concern  my  Department,  I  can  see  no 
good  that  can  accrue  from  our  correspondence. 
As  to  your  absolute  Requisition  of  Col  Luce  I 
can  only  answer  that  I  have  made  every  Inquiry 
and  cannot  find  that  he  has  or  ever  had  any  Com- 
mission in  our  Service  —  Cap  McKoy  and  the 
other  gendemen  you  mention  were  then   in  the 


TEA  AT  GOVERNOR  FRANKLINS.       53 

Canadian  Army  and  I   consequently  am  ignorant 
of  their  conduct.     I  am 

Your  most  humble  Servant 

JOS^    LORING 

Commissary  for  PrisV 

Elias  Boudinot  Esq"" 

Mr.  Boudinot  now  had  his  family  removed,  for 
greater  security,  from  their  home  in  Elizabeth- 
town  to  an  estate  he  had  purchased  near  Basking- 
ridge,  situated  among  the  Somerset  hills  of  New 
Jersey,  near  which  tradition  points  out  the  house 
in  which  General  Charles  Lee  was  captured. 
The  distance  from  Washington's  headquarters  at 
Morristown  being  eight  miles,  Mrs.  Washington 
was  often  their  guest.  His  little  daughter  would 
repeat  in  her  old  age  the  amusing  incident  of  her 
terror  at  the  target  practice  of  the  recruits,  and 
how  she  at  first  took  them  for  the  invading  foe ; 
taking  flight  one  day  from  her  attendant  with 
whom  she  was  walking,  she  flew  home  as  fast  as 
her  heels  could  carry  her,  dashing  in  at  the  front 
door,  and  crying,  "The  British  are  coming!  the 
British  are  coming !  "  Mrs.  Washington,  at  the 
moment  descending  the  stairs,  caught  her  in  her 
arms,  and,  reassuring  her,  explained  the  situation. 
It  was  this  young  girl,  when  nine  years  of  age, 
having  a  cup  of  tea  pressed  upon  her  while  visit- 
ing at  Governor  Franklin's,  proclaimed  her  rebel 
principles  by  only  raising  the  cup  to  her  lips,  and 

1  Family  papers. 


54  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

then,  suddenly  crossing  the  room,  throwing  the 
contents  from  the  window/ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Camp  10  Miles  from  New  Windsor. 
July  22d  1777 

My  dearest  Wife 

Having  a  leisure  hour  for  the  first  Time  I  can- 
not please  myself  so  well  or  use  it  better  than  by 
conversing  with  the  dear  object  of  my  warmest 
and  most  tender  affections.  We  owe  more  to 
our  gracious  God  than  we  can  easily  conceive  for 
the  numerous  Indulgences  of  his  Providence  and 
amoung  the  rest  the  ability  of  conveying  our  ideas, 
our  wants,  wishes,  enjoyments  and  indeed  every 
sentiment  of  the  soul  on  Paper  to  those  we  love 
and  thereby  anticipate  the  evil  of  distance  and 
separation,  is  not  the  least. 

We  are  now  advanced  near  to  the  North  River 
but  are  halted  on  being  convinced  that  the  En- 
emy have  not  yet  discovered  the  Place  of  their 
Destination  by  any  movement  they  have  yet 
made.  The  General  lately  rec'd  letters  from 
Elizabeth  Town  and  from  my  Brother^  which 
assure  him  that  there  has  not  been  any  move- 
ment amoung  the  shipping,  especially  up  the  East 
River  so  that  he  is  at  a  loss  to  know  which 
way  to  steer  his  course ;  this  is  the  reason  of  the 
present  stop,  altho'  I  repeat,  it  will  not  last  longer 
than  this  day  —  I  must  confess  that  I  do  not 
enjoy  my  present  wandering  life  with  any  degree 

1  Told  by  herself  to  the  writer.  2  i£iisha  Boudinot. 


LOSS    OF    DOMESTIC    HAPPINESS.  55 

of  relish  but  what  arises  from  a  conviction  of  its 
not  only  being  duty  but  the  Path  marked  out  by 
divine  Providence.  To  leave  the  centre  of  my 
earthly  Happiness,  the  objects  of  every  affection- 
ate connection,  all  the  sweets  of  domestic  felicity 
and  Peace  which  was  enjoyed  in  a  higher  degree 
by  very  few  of  the  happiest  Sons  of  Mortality, 
added  to  the  loss  of  the  many  religious  advan- 
tages I  am  blessed  with  and  which  increased  and 
hightened  every  other  favour,  I  say,  to  leave  these, 
only  real  blessings  of  life,  for  the  boisterous  noisy, 
fatiguing  unnatural  and  disrelishing  state  of  War 
and  slaughter,  without  enjoyment.  Satisfaction, 
Ease,  requires  some  Philosophy  to  think  on  with 
Pleasure,  or  suffer  with  Patience. 

Whenever  I  have  an  opportunity  of  thinking, 
my  dear  family  in  every  degree  engage  more  of 
my  Meditations,  and  could  I  reconcile  it  with 
my  duty  and  their  Welfare,  in  which  I  include 
the  obligations  I  owe  to  my  Country,  I  should 
not  hesitate  to  indulge  my  eager  desires  by  add- 
ing to  their  number  and  solacing  myself  with 
domestic  enjoyments  and  the  softening  inter- 
course of  Friendship  —  But  alas  !  it  has  become 
necessary  to  check  even  these  innocent  and  sweet- 
est desires  and  longings  of  the  human  Heart,  for 
God  and  my  country  calls  to  a  different  exercise 
of  my  talents  and  forbid  every  tender  feeling  that 
will  lead  to  the  least  repining  at  the  inscrutable 
and  surprising  dealings  of  his  Providence  whose 
ways  are  past  finding  out  —  This  I  know  to  be 


56  ELI  AS     BOUDINOT. 

duty,  yet  I  am  still  but  a  poor  frail  mortal  and 
cannot  at  times  help  looking  back  to  the  Leaks 
and  Onions  of  Egypt.  My  dearest  wife  will  be 
uppermost  in  my  thoughts  as  she  is  in  my  affec- 
tions and  could  I  but  now  and  then  fly  to  her 
embraces  for  a  moment,  the  intervals  of  Bustle, 
Hurry  and  fatigue  would  be  happily  seasoned 
by  such  a  Mercy.  However,  my  hope  is  in  that 
kind  and  watchful  Providence  which  has  so  often 
disappointed  our  fears  and  exceeded  our  highest 
expectations.  To  him,  w^e  have  the  highest  en- 
couragement to  look,  on  whom  we  cannot  but 
depend  without  the  most  horrid  act  of  Ingrati- 
tude. To  him  therefore  I  now  cordially  commit 
my  beloved  wife  and  only  Daughter  a  dear  Family 
and  affectionate  friends.  I  have  no  news  to  com- 
municate but  the  taking  of  a  32  gun  Frigate  by 
Cap^  Mealy  and  Mr.  Noel.  They  immediately 
manned  her  at  sea  and  sent  her  on  a  cruise.  Mr. 
Noel  is  come  on  to  report,  and  brought  in  a 
Jamaicaman  wdth  400  Hhds  of  sugar.  We  also 
learn  that  the  Ticonderoga  affair  is  not  half  so 
bad  as  at  first  represented,  and  that  the  evacua- 
tion was  directed  by  prudence  and  necessity,  in 
their  retreat ;  our  People  cut  to  powder  the  9th 
Regiment  British  troops  and  that  the  whole  coun- 
try is  in  motion. 

My  kind  love  to  Susan,  Molly  and  the  family. 
Remember  me  to  Polly  and  the  little  ones.  If 
Elisha  is  with  you,  give  my  love  to  him  and  to  all 
friends  and  neighbors.     I  rec'd  your  letter  of  last 


BATTLE    OF   THE    B^A']Sl£)YWINE.  57 

week  which  gave  me  most  sensible  pleasure.     I 
am  with  the  tenderest  affection  and  real  esteem 

Your  constant 

BOUDINOT.-^ 

Mrs.  BouDiNOT, 

Baskin  ridge. 

The  following  was  written  the  day  after  the 
battle  of  the  Brandywine. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia,  Sept  12,  1777. 

My  beloved  Wife, 

Hard  as  it  is  for  me  to  write,  I  must  improve 
this  opportunity  to  thank  you  for  your  kind  letters 
which  have  given  me  much  consolation  under 
every  difficulty.  All  that  you  have  done  is  right 
and  gives  me  much  Pleasure.  You  will  see  by 
the  enclosed,  my  Situation  at  this  date,  as  my 
fever  and  pain  in  my  head  did  not  abate. 

I  came  to  this  Town  yesterday,  scarcely  had  I 
arrived  when  the  thunder  of  cannon  proclaimed 
a  battle  near  Wilmington.  An  express  soon  ar- 
rived which  informed  us  of  a  general  engagement 
which  lasted  till  5  o'clock  in  the  Afternoon,  from 
eight  in  the  morning  and  much  in  our  favour,  but 
alas  the  fate  of  the  Day  then  turned  against  us, 
and  our  Army  was  worsted  and  obliged  to  leave 
the  Field,  and  retreat  to  Chester. 

The  enemy  have  suffered  greatly  some  say  be- 
tween 2  and  3  thousand,  our  loss  about  1000. 

1  Family  letters. 


58  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

Our  troops  have  rallied  at  Chester  and  the 
enemy  have  not  thought  proper  to  move  for- 
wards. 

As  our  Army  are  still  in  high  spirits,  we  hope 
for  the  best,  amidst  the  gloom. 

God's  will  be  done.  As  you  may  expect,  all  is 
confusion  here. 

I  am  so  engaged  in  sending  off  the  prisoners, 
that  I  forget  my  misfortune. 

A  Moment  is  now  very  precious,  therefore  even 
my  dearest  Wife  and  Daughter  must  put  up  with 
being  denied  more  than  is  absolutely  necessary, 
but  must  beg  you  will  think  of  every  thing  that 
is  loving  tender  and  affectionate,  and  be  assured 
that  and  more  would  naturally  flow  from  the  Pen 
of  the  most  Affectionate  husband  to  the  dearest, 
the  tenderest  connections. 

You  may  depend,  on  the  first  intelligence,  if 
anything  decisive  happens  to  day,  as  I  expect  the 
fate  of  this  City  will  be  determined  within  48 
hours,  but  remember  that  no  News  will  be  good 
News. 

Am  as  always. 

My  dearest  wife  and  daughter, 

Yours  Most  Sincerely 
E.  B. 

Thank  Susan  for  her  letter. 

It  was  said  that  Fitzgerald  and  Col.  Pickering 
were  among  the  slain,  but  they  are  both  well/ 

Mrs.  BouDiNOT. 

1  Family  letters. 


FROM    PIEADQUARTERS.  59 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

German  Town  Head  Quarters  Sept  14th  1777. 

By  an  Express  just  going  off,  can  but  only  say 
we  are  this  moment  moving  again,  I  hope,  for  the 
field  of  Battle,  which  I  expect  will  come  on  tomor- 
row. 

I  am  getting  better.  The  news  of  the  enemy's 
landing  in  Jersey,  made  me  write  you  and  deter- 
mine to  send  W""  off  with  2  horses  and  a  waggon 
to  your  assistance  but  from  the  improbability  of 
their  coming  through  Baskinridge  and  Gen^  Mc- 
Dougal  being  on  his  way  from  Peekskill  with 
1500  men,  I  have  yet  detained  him  until  further 
intelligence,  as  I  shall  be  so  badly  off  without 
him  —  my  kind  love  to  all  —  Mr.  Rapelque  prom- 
ised me,  if  there  should  be  any  danger,  to  go  for 
you  with  his  waggon  —  if  you  should  be  uneasy 
send  an  express  to  me  or  hire  waggons  at  any 
expense  and  push  for  Mr.  Rapelque's. 

I  am  Your  Most  Affectionate 

E.  B.^ 

Poor  Mrs.  Burnet  how  I  pity  her. 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Camp  near  Schuylkill,  Sept  23d  1777  9  Oc  p.  m. 
35  Miles  from  Phila. 

My  dearest  Wife, 

I  wrote  you  this  morning  which  I  enclose  but 
as  our  affairs  have  much  changed  since,  I  em- 
brace another  opportunity  to  acquaint  you  with 

1  Family  letters. 


6o  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

them  —  For  Reasons  best  known  to  our  Councils 
of  War,  which  are  many  and  long,  the  Enemy 
have  been  allowed  to  pass  the  Schuylkill  unop- 
posed and  have  marched  directly  down  to  the  city, 
where  they  will  arrive  this  Evening  or  tomorrow 
Morning.  What  the  issue  is  to  be  is  known  only 
to  Him  who  knows  all  things.  Whether  we  are  to 
attack  them  when  all  our  Troops  come  up,  which 
are  many,  as  we  hear  reinforcements  are  com- 
ing in  from  all  quarters,  I  know  not — I  confess 
things  have  a  gloomy  aspect  but  I  am  constrained 
to  hope  for  the  best  God  rules  and  will  even  yet 
do  his  Will,  which  is  all  my  hope  and  all  my 
desire. 

I  long,  earnestly  long  to  hear  from  you  which  I 
have  not  done  for  a  long  time  —  I  have  wrote 
several  long  Letters  of  business  to  night  (tho'  at  a 
miserable  Hovel  being  a  high  Dutch  country 
House)  and  it  has  been  almost  too  much  for  my 
arm  and  shoulder. 

Kind  love  to  my  Susan  and  Family 
Dearest  love  with  great  affection 

Yours  sincerely 

BoUDINOT.^ 

Mrs.  BouDiNOT 
Baskinridge. 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Potts  Grove  Sept  23d  1777. 

My  dearest  Wife 

An  opportunity  offering,  I  embrace  it  (altho'  I 
have  no  important  news)  if  it  is  only  to  let  you 

1  Family  letters. 


CHANGE    OF    POST.  6 1 

see  I  am  anxious  you  should  know  of  my  health 
and  safety  on  every  occasion.  I  sent  a  Letter 
yesterday  by  the  way  of  Trenton,  since  which, 
nothing  new  has  happened,  except  changing  our 
Post  a  few  miles  to  the  Northward  of  this  place. 
The  Enemy  are  on  the  move  up  Schuylkill  from 
Philadelphia  instead  of  going  to  it.  On  Saturday 
evening  Genl  Waynes  Division  on  the  West  side 
of  Schuylkill  was  attempted  to  be  surprised  by  a 
superior  number  of  the  enemy,  by  getting  infor- 
mation of  it  in  time,  he  retired  with  his  Division, 
except  two  Regiments  with  whom  he  received  the 
Enemy  with  one  fire  and  then  rushed  on  with 
fixed  Bayonets.  The  loss  on  each  Side  was  nearly 
equal  about  25  or  30  men  being  killed,  we  lost  a 
few  Prisoners  but  disconcerted  their  plans  —  The 
Indians  I  informed  you  had  arrived  in  my  last,  are 
not  yet  come  up  —  We  expect  a  very  large  rein- 
forcement from  Virginia  in  3  or  4  days  — 

Love  to  D'  Family  and  friends  from  whom  I 
long  to  hear.  I  would  write  to  Elisha  and  Susan, 
but  it  is  almost  impossible  as  I  am  almost  contin- 
ually on  horse  back  and  the  most  of  our  move- 
ments are  in  the  night 

I  am  with  the  greatest  Affection 

My  dearest  Wife 

Yours  Faithfully 

Boudinot/ 

Mrs  BouDiNOT. 

^  Family  letters. 


62  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

MR.    JEREMIAH    WADSWORTH    TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

Hartford,  Novr  5th  1777. 

Dear  Sir 

Your  Favour  of  the  24th  Sepf  came  to  Hand 
early  in  Ocf,  just  as  I  was  mounted  to  go  to 
Peekskills  in  the  late  General  Alarm,  I  did  not 
then  turn  over  from  Mr  Blain's  Letter  on  the 
other  side,  and  had  no  Knowledge  of  Yours  till 
my  return  Home  the  first  In* — I  have  now  to 
thank  you  for  your  kind  offer,  to  make  me  Com- 
missary of  Prisoners  for  this  State,  but  my  un- 
settled Ace*  in  the  Commissary  Generals  Depart- 
ment and  my  Business  in  the  Quarter  Master 
Genl  Department  forbid  my  Undertaking  to  Act. 
Cap*  Jonathan  Butt,  who  was  with  you  for  Mr. 
Williams,  would  Execute  the  Business  well,  and 
will  Accept  the  Office,  if  appointed,  I  would  not 
wish  to  prevent  Mr  Williams  from  Acting  as 
Commissary  of  Prisoners,  but  I  am  of  the  opinion 
he  has  already  more  Business  than  he  can  well 
Execute,  without  undertaking  this.  And,  I,  at  the 
same  time  well  know,  that  the  present  Irregular 
Method  of  Conducting  the  matter  of  Prisoners, 
will  be  productive  of  great  Evil  — 

The  Salmon  was  forwarded  to   Morris  Town 
immediately  after  my  return  from   Middlebrook, 
and  if  not  Arrived,    I    believe  must  have   been 
lodged  at  Peekskills  with  Mr.  Paulding  — 
I  am  Dear  Sir 

Your  very  Humb  Serv* 

Jerk  Wadsworth.^ 

1  Family  papers. 


CHAPTER   IV. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Awaiting  remonstrance  sent  to  Gen- 
eral Howe  regarding  treatment  of  prisoners.  —  Fate  of  Red  Bank  Fort. 
—  Greene's  reinforcements  not  arrived.  —  The  enemy  burning  all  before 
them.  —  Burned  town  of  Woodbury.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  his  daughter, 
dated  from  Camp  White  Marsh,  recommends  Scripture  reading,  sends 
parody  song.  —  Wishes  her  to  have  more  instruction  in  music.  —  Novem- 
ber 30,  to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Set  off  on  journey,  recalled  by  letter  from 
General  Howe.  —  Troops  on  Jersey  side  endeavored  to  draw  Lord  Corn- 
^  wallis  to  battle ;  he  retired.  —  After  skirmish  returned  to  Philadelphia.  — 
Storm.  —  Reconnoitring  along  the  line  near  Philadelphia  old  woman  con- 
veys information  secretly.  —  Washington  proves  him  wrong  in  his  sur- 
mise as  to  the  movement  of  enemy.  —  Speeches  of  committee  from  Con- 
gress relative  to  attacking  the  British.  —  Washington's  intended  move 
against  his  judgment.  —  A  spy  conveyed  the  information.  —  British 
retire.  —  Extract  from  Sparks'  "  Washington."  —  Another  providen- 
tial escape  of  our  army.  —  Washington's  ruse  to  mislead  the  spy.  — 
Letter  from  Valley  Forge  regarding  election  to  Congress.  —  Hymn. — 
Cartel  for  exchange  of  prisoners.  —  Commissioners  to  meet  at  German- 
town.  —  American  Colonels  Hamilton,  Harrison,  Grayson,  Boudinot ; 
British  Colonels  O'Harah,  Stevens,  and  Captain  Fitz  Patrick.  —  Meet- 
ing of  general  officers  to  discuss  the  business  beforehand.  —  Committee 
from  Congress.  —  Sentiments  against  exchange.  — Insulting  resolutions 
of  Congress  expunged  from  the  minutes.  —  Meeting  of  commissioners.  — 
British  commissioners  go  to  the  city  to  attend  a  ball.  —  Return.  — 
Breach  of  faith.  —  British  commissioners  endeavor  to  free  themselves 
from  blame.  —  Defective  powers.  —  Concerning  Colonels  O'Harah  and 
Hamilton.  —  Draft  of  part  of  a  letter  by  commissioners  from  Moor 
Hall. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

From  Camp  White  Marsh  Nov.  21st 

I  AM  waiting  the  issue  of  a  spirited  Remon- 
strance sent  in  to  Gen^  Howe  concerning  our 
unhappy  Prisoners  which  ended  shall  set  out  im- 
mediately for  York. 


64  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

Before  I  close  this  shall  be  able  to  inform  you 
of  the  fate  of  Red  Bank  Fort  There  has  been  a 
very  heavy  fire  from  about  four  o'c  this  morning 
until  about  1 1  o'c  —  a  very  large  force  went  down 
on  Monday  under  Lord  Cornwallis  and  Gen^ 
Clinton  to  attempt  to  storm  it  this  morning  &  as 
several  explosions  have  been  heard  &  our  rein- 
forcements under  Gen^  Greene  not  arrived,  I  fear 
the  worst  —  I  met  with  a  very  sensible  loss  this 
morning  in  the  loss  of  my  young  horse  —  I  shall 
miss  him  greatly  in  this  journey  which  is  like  to 
be  a  wintry  one  — 

Nov  21''  in  the  Evening — Heavy  fire  this 
morning  over  in  Jersey,  Red  Bank  is  evacuated 
but  we  have  a  formidable  army  of  between  4  to 
5000  men  over  there  so  that  I  expect  something 
has  been  done  —  The  Enemy  are  burning  all  be- 
fore them,  the  latter  end  of  last  week  they  burned 
the  pretty  Town  of  Woodbury  in  Jersey  —  Houses 
&  Property  around  the  City  to  the  amount  of 
;^  2  00000  — 

May  a  Holy  God  protect  my  dear  Wife  & 
Family  — 

I  expect  to  set  off  on  Wednesday  to  lock  up  all 
the  Prisoners  &  lessen  their  allowance  — 

My  quarters  are  here,  at  a  little  vile,  dirty  den, 
decent  I  hope,  the  People  are  kind  &  we  have 
something  to  eat  &  drink  but  my  baggage  being 
in  the  front  am  obliged  to  take  up  with  such  im- 
plements for  writing  as  I  can  get  ^  — 

To    M^^    BOUDTNOT 

Baskinridge. 

1  Family  letters. 


ADVICE    TO    HIS    DAUGHTER.  65 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS    DAUGHTER. 

Camp  White  Marsh 

Nov  22d  1777 

My  dearest  Susan 

Having  just  finished  a  letter  to  your  dear  Mama, 
I  am  necessarily  reminded  of  the  Claim  my  be- 
loved daughter  has  to  my  leisure  Hours  altho'  it 
would  have  given  me  more  Pleasure  had  the  de- 
mand been  made  by  her  in  form. 

If  I  recollect  right  my  last  letter  concluded  with 
a  recommendation  of  the  Scriptures  as  worthy 
your  constant  reading  &  meditation,  producing  a 
source  of  solid,  rational  Pleasure  &  Enjoyment  no 
where  else  to  be  found  ...  In  short  what  ever 
is  really  conducive  to  the  Happiness  of  society  or 
individuals  in  this  World  or  the  World  to  come, 
is  peculiarly  founded  in,  advanced  &  perfected 
by  the  Doctrines  of  the  blessed  Gospel  of  Peace 
—  It  promotes  public  virtue  &  renders  amiable 
&  praiseworthy,  all  the  variety  of  jarring  interests 
that  arrive  from  the  predominancy  of  the  Passions 
over  the  natural  Faculty 

As  you  advance  in  life  you  will  find  the  Chris- 
tian world  unhappily  split  into  a  multitude  of 
Denominations  Professions  &  Names  —  Each 
will  tell  you  that  his  is  the  only  right  way,  as 
those  mentioned  in  Scripture  who  tell  you  lo ! 
here  is  Christ  or  there  is  Christ  but  believe  them 
not  —  The  true  Catholicism  of  the  Scripture  will 
teach  you  to  take  them  all  into  the  arms  of  your 
Love  &  Charity  and  to  look  upon  all,  as  the  Ser- 


66  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

vants  of  the  same  Master,  as  far  as  they  follow 
his  Example,  remembering  that  he  that  is  not 
aeainst  us  is  for  us.  Grace  does  not  alter  the 
natural  abilities  of  the  man  further  than  it  has  a 
tendency  to  enlighten  &  improve  him ;  you  must 
not  therefore  expect  to  find  a  man  who  you  verily 
believe  to  be  a  good  Christian,  free  from  all 
imperfections  —  no,  you  will  often  find  him  the 
same  in  many  respects  as  other  men  and  will 
sometimes  think  yourself  disappointed,  till  you 
recollect  that  the  grand  difference  lies  in  the  im- 
perfection of  the  Christian  being  his  Burden  &  his 
Cross  — 

My  Letter  being  swelled  beyond  my  intention  I 
w^ill  not  trouble  you  further  at  present.  I  hope 
you  enjoy  much  comfort  with  your  dear  Mama 
who  is  so  able  to  entertain  &  improve  you  —  Her 
living  example  will  be  of  more  consequence  to 
you,  if  you  copy  after  it  than  volumes  of  Pre- 
cepts. 

I  intend  to  enclose  a  parody  on  the  song  you 
sing  &  play  on  the  Spinnet,  of  God  save  the  King 
&c.  as  I  think  it  will  be  agreeable  to  you  —  By 
Parody  is  meant  &c.  &c. 

I  hope  ere  long  to  be  able  to  get  you  a  master 
to  give  you  some  instructions  in  Music,  which 
is  an  accomplishment  not  unbecoming  a  young 
Lady —  I  am  sorry  you  are  not  more  fond  of  let- 
ter writing  as  you  would  find  great  improvement 
from  it  &  after  a  little  while  it  would  become  easy 
&  familiar 


SKIRMISHING    OF    TROOPS.  67 

Give  my  kind  love  to  your  Aunt  &  Cousins,  to 
Molly  &  the  family  —  Remember  me  also  to  M' 
&  M""^  Livingston  and  the  young  ladies 
I  am  my  beloved  daughter 

your  most  affectionate  Parent 

BOUDINOT  ^ 

Miss  BOUDINOT 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Green  Park  Nov  30th  1777 

My  DEAREST  Wife 

On  Friday  last  I  set  off  on  my  journey  but 
travelled  no  further  than  Head  quarters  where  an 
unexpected  letter  from  Gen^  Howe  caused  me  to 
put  about  &  make  for  Phil^ 

You  see  by  this,  that  I  can  do  nothing  without 
making  report  to  you,  as  my  commanding  officer 

There  has  nothing  turned  up  that  throws 
any  light  upon  our  future  movements ;  I  mean, 
to  determine  whether  we  go  into  Winter  quarters 
or  not  —  I  shall  go  to  York  as  soon  as  I  am 
permitted 

Our  troops  on  the  Jersey  side  endeavored  to 
draw  Lord  Cornwallis  to  a  battle  but  he  wisely 
retired  —  Our  people  had  a  pretty  smart  skirmish 
they  killed  two  ofBcers  &  twenty  privates  &  took 
9  or  10  prisoners  &  kept  the  ground  —  Lord 
Cornwallis  with  his  Troops  crossed  the  river  & 
has  returned  to  Philadelphia  &  our  troops  are 
crossing  over  The  storm  has  prevented  a  gen- 
eral movement.^ 

1  Family  letters.  '^  Ibid. 


68  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

He  writes :  — 

"  In  the  Autumn  of  1777  the  American  Army 
lay  sometime  at  White  Marsh.  I  was  then  Com- 
miss'^  Gen^  of  Prisoners,  and  managed  the  intel- 
ligence of  the  army.  I  was  reconoitreing  along 
the  line  near  the  city  of  Philadelphia.  I  dined  at 
a  small  Post  at  the  Rising  Sun  ab't  three  Miles 
from  the  City.  After  Dinner,  a  little,  poor  look- 
ing, insignificant  old  Woman,  came  in  &  solicited 
leave  to  go  into  the  Country  to  bring  some  Flour. 
While  we  were  asking  some  questions,  she  walked 
up  to  me,  and  put  into  my  Hands  a  dirty  old 
Needle-Book,  with  various  small  Pockets  in  it  — 
Surprised  at  this,  I  told  her  to  retire  —  She  should 
have  our  Answer —  On  opening  the  Needle-Book, 
I  could  not  find  anything,  till  I  got  to  the  last 
Pocket,  where  I  found  a  piece  of  Paper  rolled  up 
into  the  form  of  a  Pipe-shank  —  On  unrolling  it, 
I  found  information  that  Genl  Howe  was  coming 
out  the  next  Morning  with  5,000  Men  —  13  Pieces 
of  Cannon  —  Baggage  Waggons,  and  1 1  Boats  on 
Waggon  Wheels  —  on  comparing  this,  with  other 
Information  I  found  it  true,  and  immediately  rode 
Post  to  Headquarters  —  According  to  my  usual 
Custom  &  agreeable  to  Orders  rec"^  from  General 
W.  I  first  related  to  him  the  naked  Fact  without 
Comment  or  Opinion  —  He  rec"^  it  with  much 
Thoughtfulness  —  I  then  gave  my  opinion,  that 
General  Howe's  Desi2:n  was  to  cross  the  Dela- 
ware  under  Pretense  of  going  to  New  York  — 
Then  in  the  Night  to  recross  the  Delaware  above 


SECRET    INTELLIGENCE.  69 

Bristol  &  come  suddenly  on  our  Rear,  when  we 
were  totally  unguarded,  and  cut  off  all  our  Bag- 
gage, if  not  the  whole  Army  —  He  heard  me 
without  a  single  Observation  being  deep  in 
thought — I  repeated  my  observation — He  still 
was  silent  —  Supposing  myself  unattended  to —  I 
earnestly  repeated  my  Opinion  with  urging  him 
to  order  a  few  Redoubts  thrown  up  in  our  Rear, 
as  it  was  growing  late  —  The  General  answered 
me,  Mr.  Boudinot  the  Enemy  have  no  business 
in  our  Rear,  the  Boats  are  designed  to  deceive 
us  —  Tomorrow  Morning  by  Daylight  you  will 
find  them  coming  down  such  a  Bye  road  on  our 
left  —  Then  calling  an  Aide  de  Camp  ordered 
the  Line  thrown  up  along  our  whole  Front  at  the 
Foot  of  the  Hill  —  As  I  was  quartered  on  that 
very  Bye  Road  with  6  or  8  other  Officers,  a  Mile 
in  Front  of  our  Army  and  no  Picket  advanced  of 
us,  this  Opinion  made  a  deep  Impression  upon 
me,  though  I  tho't  the  General  under  a  manifest 
Mistake  —  I  returned  to  my  quarters  first  obtain- 
ing a  Picket  to  be  put  on  that  ROad  in  advance 
—  When  I  got  Home  the  Officers  were  informed 
of  the  News,  and  my  Opinion  that  we  should 
loose  our  Baggage  at  least,  the  next  Morning  — 
That  our  General  at  best  was  out  in  his  Judg- 
ment, but  repeated  his  last  Words — Proposed  it 
as  a  Matter  of  Prudence  to  have  our  Horses 
saddled  &  the  servt  ordered  to  have  them  at  the 
Door  on  the  first  alarm  Gun  being  fired  —  About 
3  o'clock  in  the  Morning  we  were  aroused  by  the 


70  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Alarm  Guns  —  We  immediately  mounted  and 
by  sunrise  the  British  was  in  possession  of  our 
Quarters  down  the  Bye  Road,  mentioned  by 
General  Washington  —  I  then  said  that  I  never 
would  again  set  up  my  judgment  agt  his  —  The 
Enemy  remained  several  Days  encamped  on 
Chestnut  Hill  &  Genl  Washington  opposite  to 
him  —  On  the  Evening  of  the  2nd  or  3rd  Day, 
Genl  Washington  was  informed  of  some  very 
harsh  &  severe  Speeches  made  by  a  Committee 
from  Congress,  of  whom  Robert  Morris  was  one, 
relative  to  Genl  Washington,  his  not  attacking 
the  British  &  putting  an  end  to  the  War  at  once, 
and  declaring  if  he  did  not  do  it  further  Oppo- 
sition to  the  British  was  vain,  &c.  &c.  The  Fact 
was  that  both  Parties  were  so  strongly  covered, 
that  the  Assailant  in  all  Probability  would  have 
been  beaten,  and  the  essential  Interests  of  Amer- 
ica required  that  the  Americans  should  avoid  a 
general  Battle  —  However  Genl  Washington  be- 
ing exceedingly  hurt  with  these  Observations  & 
hard  Speeches,  determined  at  all  Events  to  haz- 
ard an  Attack  &  let  the  Committee  abide  the 
Consequences  —  Accordingly  he  dispatched  Genl 
Wayne  with  his  brigade  to  advance  in  the  Even- 
ing into  the  Valley  between  the  two  Armies  & 
near  the  Foot  of  Chestnut  Hill,  to  be  ready  in 
the  Morning:  —  Another  Bris^ade  was  advanced 
part  of  the  way  towards  him  —  A  Spy  who  was 
in  our  Camp  immediately  on  Wayne's  moving 
carried  the  Intelligence  to  the  British  General  — 


BRITISH    RETREAT    INTO    THE    CITY.  7 1 

A  skirmish  was  had  during  the  Day  and  one  of 
our  MiHtia  Generals  wounded  &  taken  Prisoner 
—  He  was  put  into  a  Room  adjoining  one  in 
which  A  British  Aid  de  Camp  lodged  —  He 
overheard  an  Officer  come  in  &  tell  him,  that  the 
Rebels  were  advancing  to  make  an  Attack  the 
next  Morning,  and  that  their  Retreat  was  ordered 
by  the  British  General  —  When  the  American 
Troops  began  their  Movement  the  next  Morning 
at  the  Dawn  of  Day,  not  a  British  Soldier  was 
to  be  seen  —  The  light  Horse  pursued  &  came 
up  &  harassed  the  Rear  of  the  British  a  few 
Miles  from  Philadelphia  —  Thus  the  Defeat  of 
the  American  Army  was  again  providentially  pre- 
vented, for  we  were  by  no  Means  equal  to  the 
Attack,  as  the  British  were  so  strongly  posted, 
and  our  Army  made  up  of  undisciplined  Men."^ 

Sparks,  in  his  "  Life  of  Washington,"  says, 
"  An  intelligent  observer  (Elias  Boudinot),  com- 
missary of  prisoners,  writes  to  President  Wharton 
from  camp :  *  As  all  their  movements,  added  to 
their  repeated  declaration  of  driving  General 
Washington  over  the  Blue  Mountains,  were  cal- 
culated to  assure  us  of  their  having  come  out 
with  a  determination  to  fight,  it  was  thought  pru- 
dent to  keep  our  post  upon  the  hills  near  the 
church.  I  understand  it  was  resolved  if  they  did 
not  begin  the  attack  soon,  to  have  fought  them  at 
all  events,  it  not  being  supposed  that  they  could, 
consistent  with  their  own  feelings,  have  secretly 

1  Reminiscences  of  Elias  Boudinot^  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


72  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

stolen  Into  the  city  so  suddenly,  after  so  long  gas- 
conading on  what  they  intended  to  do.' " 
Mr.  Boudinot  relates  the  following:  — 
"  Another  providential  Escape  of  our  Army 
happened  at  Morristown  In  the  Year  i"]"]"]-^  — 
Our  Army  was  exceedingly  reduced,  so  that  3000 
effective  Men  was  the  full  Amount  of  the  Whole 
&  those  were  poorly  found  - —  To  prevent  this 
being  known  Gen^  Washington  distributed  them 
by  2  &  3  in  a  House,  all  along  the  main  Road 
around  Morris  Town  for  Miles  —  So  that  the 
general  Impression  among  the  country  People 
was  that  we  were  40,000  strong  —  Genl  Howe 
desirous  of  knowing  our  real  Strength,  sent  over 
a  gentl  of  some  Character,  a  Mercht  in  New 
York,  as  a  Spy  into  our  Camp  —  He  told  Sad 
Stories  about  the  treatment  he  had  rec'^  from  the 
British  and  that  he  had  deserted  from  them  — 
The  Adjutant  Gen^  finding  from  several  Circum- 
stances that  he  was  really  a  Spy,  applied  to  Genl 
Washington  for  an  Order  to  take  him  up  and 
confine  him :  The  General  examined  into  the  Cir- 
cumstances &  finding  the  Suspicions  well  sup- 
ported forbid  the  Adjutant  Gen^  from  touching 
him  —  but  ordered  him  to  go  Home  &  imme- 
diately to  draw  Returns  from  every  Brigadier  in 
the  Army  of  the  Number  of  their  Brigades,  mak- 
ing the  army  to  consist  of  about  12,000  effective 
Men  &c.  &c.  to  place  these  in  the  pigeon  Holes 
on  his  Desk,  and  then  to  get  introduced  to  the 
Spy,  and  invite  him  to  lodge  with  him  —  To  en- 


DECEIVING   THE    SPY.  73 

deavor  to  get  him  to  sup  with  him  alone  —  About 
9  o'clock  in  the  Evening  to  have  an  orderly  Ser- 
geant to  call  on  him  with  positive  Orders  that  the 
Adjutant,  should  call  on  the  General  in  haste  — 
That  then  he  should  make  an  Excuse  to  the 
gentl  suspected  as  a  Spy  and  leave  him  alone 
about  half  an  Hour^ — This  was  done  and  in  this 
Interval,  as  was  suspected,  the  Spy,  took  a  Copy 
of  the  Returns,  and  next  morning  went  off  with 
them  to  New  York  —  This  convinced  Genl  Howe 
that  we  were  too  strong  to  be  attacked  &  saved 
us  thro'  the  Winter  —  A  Coll.  Luce  who  was 
taken  prisoner  at  Elizabeth  Town  was  confined 
to  a  house  in  Morris  Town,  in  a  Family  disaf- 
fected to  our  Cause,  on  his  Parole — He  found 
out  our  real  Situation  and  obtained  full  accts  of 
our  weakness  and  indorsed  Returns  of  the  Army, 
Artillery,  &c.,  with  our  Poverty,  Sickness,  &c.  &c. 
according  to  the  Truth  —  With  these,  expecting 
to  make  his  Fortune,  he  broke  his  Parole  ran 
off  to  New  York  —  He  was  introduced  to  Genl 
Howe  and  with  great  zeal  communicated  the 
whole  Secret  —  Genl  Howe  called  for  the  Re- 
turns brought  by  the  Spy  and  then  in  the  Se- 
verest Tone  charged  Coll  Luce  with  joining  the 
Rebels  in  endeavoring  to  impose  upon  him  and 
draw  him  out  into  the  Country,  and  threatened  to 
hang  him  up  at  the  first  Tree — Luce  was  terri- 
fied beyond  Description,  as  Howe  produced  Copies 
of  the  Returns  from  the  American  Brigadiers  ob- 
tained in  such  a  Manner  that  there  could  be  no 


74  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Doubt  —  Luce  was  glad  to  escape  with  his  Life, 
mistified  &  chagrined  with  having  broken  his 
Parole  &  at  last  disappointed  &  treated  with  Con- 
tempt &  great  Severity,  he  took  to  drink  &  killed 
himself  by  it  in  the  End."  ^ 

To  his  wife  he  writes  from  Valley  Forge,  Janu- 
ary 4 :  — 

"  I  write  this  merely  to  say  something  on  the 
subject  of  my  late  election  to  the  representation 
of  our  State  in  Congress.  I  have  lately  received 
it  from  the  clerk  of  the  House — I  think  it  was 
on  Christmas  day —  I  know  not  what  to  say  to  it, 
am  exceedingly  puzzled  to  determine  what  is  my 
duty  but  at  all  events  shall  not  attempt  it  till  I  see 
and  consult  you  on  this  head  —  The  only  motive 
that  can  induce  me  to  accept  is  yet  to  be  com- 
municated to  you  —  You  know  my  heart,  that 
I  have  never  aimed  at  any  public  employment, 
nor  ever  had  a  desire  to  enter  into  political  conse- 
quence, my  whole  plan  has  been  to  glide  thro' 
this  troublesome  scene  of  things  in  domestic  ease 
and  enjoyment  free  from  the  Bustles  of  the  World  ; 
the  accomplishing  of  which  I  began  to  think  was 
never  at  hand.  I  was  called  to  my  present  em- 
ployment not  from  any  desire  of  increasing  either 
my  wealth  or  importance  but  from  an  abhorrence 
of  being  an  Idle  Spectator  of  my  country's  Dis- 
tress and  a  proportionate  fondness  for  obliging 
our  worthy  General  —  I  acknowledge  that  my  de- 
voutest  and  most  constant  Prayers  at  the  Throne 

^  Reminiscences  of  Elias  Botcditiot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


ELECTION   TO    CONGRESS.  75 

of  Grace  have  been,  that  God  would  direct,  lead 
and  appoint  me  to  such  usefulness  in  Life  as 
could  most  glorify  His  Holy  Name  for  if  his  will 
is  done  with  and  by  me  I  care  not  what  depart- 
ment or  w^iat  difficulties  of  Life  I  am  called  to  — 
I  have  indeed  kept  a  watchful  eye  on  all  his  Prov- 
idence towards  me  and  can  safely  say,  that  they 
have  been  altogether  kind  and  gracious 

"  *  Great  God,  I  would  not  ask  to  see 

What  in  futurity  shall  be. 
If  light  and  bliss  attend  my  days, 

Then  let  my  future  hour  be  praise. 
Is  darkness  &  distress  my  share, 

Then  let  me  trust  thy  Guardian  care. 
Enough  for  me,  if  Love  Divine 

At  length  through  every  cloud  shall  shine. 
Yet  this  my  soul  desires  to  know; 

Be  this  my  only  wish  below, 
"That  Christ  is  mine."     This  great  request 

Grant,  bounteous  God,  and  I  am  blest' "  ^ 

From  Mr.  Boudinot's  manuscript  is  the  follow- 
ing :  — 

"  In  the  Winter  of  1778  while  laying  at  the  Val- 
ley Forge  both  Armies  called  loudly  for  the  Ex- 
change of  Prisoners  —  Propositions  were  accord- 
ingly made  by  the  British  to  which  Congress 
agreed  by  giving  full  Powers  to  appoint  Commis- 
sioners to  meet  a  like  Number  on  the  Part  of  the 
British  for  the  Purpose  —  The  General  accord- 
ingly appointed  Coll.  Hamilton  Coll.  Harrison,  Coll. 
Grayson  and  myself  —  General  Howe  appointed 
Coll.  O'Hara,  Coll.  Stevens  &  Capt.  Fitz  Patrick 

1  Family  paperSj,  -';^^c-S^    '  ^-'^v^,     . 


76  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

and  we  were  to  meet  at  German  Town  —  Previous 
to  the  Meeting,  as  it  was  a  matter  quite  new  to  us, 
we  proposed  a  Meeting  of  General  Officers  with 
Genl  Washington  that  we  might  discuss  the  Busi- 
ness before  them  and  know  their  opinions  — - 
About  this  Time  Congress  sent  a  Committee  of 
their  Body,  into  the  Army  to  reform  it  —  General 
Washington  called  this  Committee  to  the  Meet- 
ing —  General  Washington  sat  as  Chairman  — 
We  discussed  the  Matter  over  —  The  Committee 
of  Congress  soon  discovered  their  Sentiments 
agt  an  Exchange  and  urged  it  as  the  Opinion  of 
Congress  that  the  settling  this  Cartel  should  be 
merely  ostensible  for  the  Purpose  of  satisfying 
the  Army  &  throwing  the  Blame  on  the  British, 
but  true  Policy  required  us  to  avoid  an  Exchange 
of  Prisoners  just  at  the  Opening  of  the  Cam- 
paign—  We  absolutely  refused  to  undertake  the 
Business  on  these  Principles  —  If  we  went  we 
were  determined  to  make  the  best  Cartel  we  could 
for  the  Liberation  of  our  Prisoners  —  That  we 
would  not  be  made  Instruments  in  so  dishonor- 
able a  measure  —  General  Washington  also  re- 
sented it  and  said  his  troops  looked  up  to  him  as 
their  Protector  and  that  he  would  not  suffer  an 
opportunity  to  be  lost  of  liberating  every  Soldier 
who  was  then  in  captivity  let  the. Consequence  be 
what  it  might  —  The  Committee  were  rnuch  dis- 
gusted, and  soon  left  the  Army  (where  they  gave 
much  dissatisfaction)  and  returned  to  Congress  — 
Before  the  Meeting  of  the  Commissioners  Gen- 


EXPUNGED    MINUTES.  77 

eral  Washington  reed  a  Resolution  of  Congress 
couched  in  the  most  insulting  Terms,  setting 
forth  that  he  had  appointed  Commissioners  to 
settle  the  Cartel  whom  he  knew  had  Principles 
adversary  to  the  true  Interests  of  America  &c 
&c.  On  this  I  applied  to  the  General  &  desired 
to  be  excused  from  the  Service — He  refused  — 
Ordered  us  to  the  Duty,  and  told  us  to  make  the 
best  Treaty  in  our  Power,  and  he  w^ould  rat- 
ify it,  and  he  would  take  the  risque  upon  him- 
self—  In  the  Month  of  June  after  this,  I  went  as 
a  Delegate  to  Congress,  and  the  first  Thing  I  did 
w^as  to  search  the  secret  Minutes  for  this  Reso- 
lution of  Congress,  determined  to  have  them  ex- 
punged from  the  Minutes  —  not  being  able  to 
find  it  I  applied  to  President  Laurens  to  know 
where  I  might  find  it — He  laughed  &  said  that 
Congress  was  so  ashamed  of  the  Measure  that 
was  run  upon  them  by  the  Committee  from  the 
Army,  that  in  two  or  three  Days  after  they  had 
expunged  the  Whole  from  their  Minutes  —  On 
the  day  of —  1778  the  Commissioners  set  out  with 
a  Captain's  Guard  of  Horse  for  German  Town  — 
Where  we  met  the  British  Comm''s  with  great 
Ceremony — It  had  been  previously  agreed  that 
the  Town  should  be  neutral  Ground  while  our 
Business  lasted  and  no  Troops  but  our  different 
Guards  should  enter  —  We  exchanged  our  Powers 
and  agreed  to  dine  together  —  We  were  very 
Sociable  —  We  had  previously  obtained  the  Char- 
acters of  our  Opponents  and  were  convinced  that 


78  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

they  depended  much  on  out-drinking  us  —  We 
knew  Coll.  Grayson  was  a  Match  for  any  of  them 
and  therefore  left  all  that  Part  of  the  Business 
with  him  —  They  soon  found  themselves  foiled  — 
The  next  Day  we  met  and  objected  to  their 
Powers  not  being  sufficiently  full,  and  proposed 
that  as  they  were  military  Men  they  should  take 
the  Lead,  we  being  wholly  unacquainted  with  the 
Business  and  that  they  should  propose  a  Plan  of 
a  Cartel  which  we  might  be  considering  till  they 
renewed  their  Powers  —  They  accepted  it,  and  as 
we  had  foreseen  drew  out  from  among  their  Pa- 
pers, a  Cartel  ready  drawn  up  in  Form  —  To 
this  we  had  nothing  to  do  but  object  &  propose 
Amendments,  which  they  were  not  prepared  to 
confute  and  easily  fell  into  our  Measures  —  It 
soon  appeared  that  neither  of  them  had  ever  con- 
sidered the  Subject,  but  depended  on  the  Draft 
prepared  for  them. 

"  The  third  Day  we  were  going  on  very  well 
and  should  soon  have  finished  much  to  our  Satis- 
faction had  we  not  been  guilty  of  a  Blunder  which 
ruined  us  —  The  British  Commissioners  after 
Dinner  told  us,  that  they  had  engaged  to  attend 
a  grand  Ball  that  was  given  that  Evening  in  the 
City  and  earnestly  solicited  that  we  should  gratify 
them  by  consenting  to  their  going  into  the  City 
when  they  would  mention  our  Objections  to  their 
Powers  and  they  would  be  out  early  in  the  Morn- 
ing—  As  it  was  but  7  miles  we  could  not  well  re- 
fuse —  They  accordingly  went  and  I  suppose  re- 


BREACH    OF    FAITH.  79 

ported  to  Genl  Howe  —  The  next  Morning,  they 
came  out  in  good  Time  when  we  proceeded  to 
Business  —  When  we  had  finished  for  the  Morn- 
ing, ColL  O'Harah  addressing  himself  to  us,  said, 
that  however  disagreeable  the  Task  was  to  them, 
and  however  contrary  to  their  first  Ideas,  it  was 
their  positive  orders  from  Gen^  Howe  to  inform 
us,  that  he  did  not  consider  German  Town  neu- 
tral Ground  after  we  adjourned  for  the  Night 
and  a  reasonable  Time  allowed  for  us  to  return  to 
our  Army  —  That  it  was  only  in  Obedience  to 
positive  Orders  that  they  could  have  been  pre- 
vailed upon  to  communicate  this  to  us  —  We  im- 
mediately started  at  the  Proposition,  gathered  up 
the  Papers  on  the  Table,  and  told  them  we  under- 
stood Genl  Howe's  Meaning,  that  we  considered 
ourselves  ill  used  by  such  a  Breach  of  public 
Faith,  and  therefore  should  after  Dinner  return  to 
Headquarters  and  not  to  meet  again  —  They  pre- 
tended to  be  much  hurt  with  our  Idea  of  its  being 
a  Breach  of  the  public  Faith,  and  made  many 
Excuses  —  We  persisted  in  our  Resolution  — 
They  finding  they  could  make  no  Impression  on 
us,  invited  themselves  to  dine  with  us  We  im- 
mediately perceived  their  Drift,  was  to  keep  us 
engaged  until  it  was  too  late  to  go  or  by  drinking 
freely  prevent  us  —  We  were  on  our  Guard  &  set 
Coll.  Grayson  to  manage  them  —  They  accord- 
ingly sat  after  dinner  with  Grayson  while  we  were 
preparing  to  go  off,  till  they  could  scarcely  sit 
upright  —  Just  before  Sundown,  they  were  put  on 


8o  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

their  horses  &  went  for  the  City  —  It  now  became 
indeed  too  late  for  us  to  go  —  We  therefore  deter- 
mined to  setoff  by  Daylight  in  the  Morning  — 
We  breakfasted  before  it  was  fairly  light,  and  just 
as  we  were  going  off,  a  Trumpet  was  heard,  and  a 
Flag  appeared  —  They  brought  a  letter  from  the 
Gen^  begging  we  would  delay  an  hour  or  two  and 
they  would  be  out  with  us  again  —  But  we  refused 
and  set  off  for  Headquarters  —  Genl  Washington 
approved  of  our  Proceedings,  and  wrote  a  very 
tart  Letter  to  Genl  Howe  charging  him  with  a 
Breach  of  his  pledged  Faith  —  He  in  Answer 
made  many  Poor  excuses,  saying  that  he  was 
misunderstood,  and  hoped  that  Matters  would  be 
set  to  Rights  by  another  Meeting  at  New  Town 
—  After  some  Hesitation  on  our  Part,  and  warm 
Solicitation  on  the  Part  of  the  british  another 
Meeting  was  agreed  to  at  New  Town  about 
Twenty  Miles  from  Philadelphia —  Gen^  Howe 
expressly  and  unequivocally  pledging  his  Faith 
for  a  positive  Neutrality  — 

"  Here  we  continued  disputing  their  Powers  & 
proceeding  in  the  Business  for  ten  Days ;  When 
the  Cartel  was  just  finished  —  Coll.  O'Harah  in 
walking  out  with  us,  addressed  us  thus,  Gent^  you 
have  behaved,  since  we  have  been  together,  with 
so  much  Propriety  and  as  Gentlemen,  that  we  feel 
hurt  at  any  kind  of  Hypocrisy  or  unfair  dishon- 
orable Conduct  on  our  Part,  which  our  Obedi- 
ence to  Orders,  may  oblige  us  t6  use  —  We  can 
therefore  no  longer  keep  a  Secret  from  you  which 


INSUFFICIENT   POWERS.  8 1 

you  ought  to  know,  tho'  we  trust  for  our  Sakes 
you  will  keep  entirely  to  yourselves  —  We  have 
spent  a  great  deal  of  time  in  disputing  abt  the 
sufficiency  of  our  Powers  and  in  making  a  Cartel 
with  you,  at  the  same  time  knowing  that  Gen' 
Howe  had  no  authority  to  agree  to  it,  when  it  is 
done  which  is  the  true  Cause  of  our  Powers  ap- 
pearing as  they  do  —  We  have  it  therefore  in 
positive  Orders  from  him,  that  when  we  can  pro- 
long the  Business  no  longer  to  make  some  Excuse 
&  to  break  off  the  Treaty  —  This  we  considered 
as  dishonorable  Conduct  and  merely  done  to 
satisfy  the  british  Army  and  try  to  throw  the 
blame  on  you  but  this  is  our  Situation  and  we 
candidly  reveal  it  to  you  in  Confidence,  to  free 
ourselves  from  Blame  —  It  is  therefore  in  vain  for 
us  to  spend  longer  Time  in  settling  the  Treaty, 
let  us  continue  together  until  our  Stores  are  ex- 
hausted and  then  separate  —  We  acknowledged 
ourselves  greatly  surprised  at  this  un-ofiicerlike 
conduct  in  the  British  General  at  the  Head  of 
such  an  Army,  but  we  knew  the  Efiect  of  Orders 
&  that  they  must  be  obeyed  —  That  perhaps  we 
might  make  such  a  report  to  our  General  as 
might  give  them  ofience  or  they  might  do  the 
same  &  displease  us  —  We  therefore  proposed  that 
we  should  in  Writing  make  our  objections  to  the 
Powers  as  insufiicient  for  the  Purpose,  being 
essentially  defective  for  settling  a  Cartel  —  That 
they  should  answer  it  &  we  would  reply  —  That 
these  written  Papers  should  be  our  mutual  Report 


82  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

—  To  this  with  great  Difficulty  they  agreed  &  not 
without  the  aid  of  Cap*  Fitz  Patrick  who  approved 
of  it  at  once  —  The  Papers  were  drawn  up  accord- 
ingly and  these  formed  the  basis  of  our  Report 
and  we  separated  —  At  the  taking  Leave  Coll. 
O'Harah  said  now  if  I  am  taken  Prisoner  I  shall 
call  on  Coll.  Hamilton,  Coll.  Harrison,  Coll.  Bou- 
dinot  &c.  and  I  expect  you  '11  immediately  come 
to  my  Aid  &  take  Care  of  me  and  if  any  of 
you  are  taken  Prisoners  call  upon  us  and  we  will 
return  the  Compliment  —  At  the  Capitulation 
of  Yorktown  Lord  Cornwallis  being  sick.  Coil. 
O'Harah,  the  second  in  command  delivered  up 
his  Sword  on  the  Parade  to  Genl  Lincoln,  and 
immediately  called  out  to  Coll.  Hamilton  —  He 
came  up  —  Now  sir  said  he  perform  your  Promise 
tho'  when  you  made  it,  I  little  thought  that  I 
should  ever  have  an  Opportunity  of  requiring 
your  Performance  of  it  —  Coll.  Hamilton  accord- 
ingly took  Care  of  him."  ^ 

The  following  extract  is  taken  from  the  manu- 
script report  of  committees  in  the  Department  of 
State,  Washington,  and  indorsed  "  Draft  of  part 
of  a  letter  to  Gen^  Washington  on  the  subject  of 
Exchange  superseded  by  a  conference,"  and  dated 
"from  Moor  Hall  March  1778"  — 

This  is  from  the  committee  of  Congress  to  which 
Mr.  Boudinot  refers,  and  reads  as  follows  :  — 

"  Having  mentioned  these  resolutions  it  is  not 
amiss  to  attempt  to  clear  them  from  the  imputa- 

1  Reminiscences  of  Elias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


DRAFT    OF    LETTER    FROM    COMMITTEE.  83 

tion  of  iniquity.  And  first  it  must  be  observed 
that  in  every  compact  between  beligerent  Powers 
to  ascertain  many  Matters  Recourse  must  be  had 
to  a  tertium  intervenu  or  middle  rate,  neither  party 
being  willing  to  trust  the  honesty  of  the  other 
&c  &c  But  to  return,  it  is  evident  that  the  in- 
terest of  the  enemy  now  calls  upon  them  loudly 
for  an  Exchange  of  men  and  therefore  it  is  by  no 
means  a  matter  of  surprise  that  Genl  Howe  after 
having  delayed  it  so  long  is  from  these  circum- 
stances brought  to  urge  an  Exchange  with  such 
rapidity. 

"  On  the  other  hand  the  capture  of  Burgoyne 
&  Leisure  allowed  the  United  States  to  breath 
from  the  late  exertions  will  enable  them  to  bring 
no  despicable  Force  into  the  Field  earlier  than 
the  Enemy  can  be  well  supported  by  additional 
Numbers,  besides  this,  the  maintaining  so  large  a 
number  of  their  Prisoners  will  bring  in  consider- 
able supplies  of  solid  Coin,  while  the  liberty  which 
a  Principle  of  Retaliation  now  fully  adopted,  com- 
pels them  to  allow  our  Prisoners,  will  enable  us 
to  maintain  them  with  comfort  amoung  the  enemy 
whereas,  if  exchanged  they  would  scatter  abroad 
thro'  the  country  and  make  little  or  no  addition 
of  strength  to  our  Army."  ^ 

1  Committee  of  Congress  to  Camp,  Department  of  State,  Washington, 
MSS.  Archives,  Report  of  Committees,  No.  33,  p.  245. 


CHAPTER  V. 

Account  of  treatment  of  prisoners  in  Philadelphia,  winter  of  1777-78. , 
—  British  officer  remonstrates.  —  Washington  threatens  retaliation.— 
All  blankets  ordered  into  king's  stores.  —  American  agent  buys  up  all 
the  flannel  and  has  blankets  made.  —  Orders  to  prevent  supplies  to 
British  within  our  lines.  —  Commissary  Loring  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  — 
Permission  to  come  to  New  York.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  goes  on  February 
3,  1778.  —  Difficulty  in  landing.  —  Threatens  to  return.  —  Officer  sent 
to  him.  —  Conveyed  to  Commissary  Loring's  quarters.  —  Courteously 
received.  —  Lodgings.  —  Examines  prisoners  with  British  officer.  — 
Proves  cruelty.  —  Colonel  Ethan  Allen.  —  Political  conversation  with 
General  Robertson.  —  Offer  of  reward  for  bringing  about  a  peace.  — 
Crime  of  Frenchman. 

Mr.  Boudinot  gives  the  following  account  of 
the  treatment  of  prisoners  in  Philadelphia,  Janu- 
ary and  February,  1778:  — 

"  Various  Reports  having  reached  us  with  re- 
gard to  the  Extreme  sufferings  of  our  Prisoners 
in  Philadelphia  I  was  directed  by  the  Commander 
in  Chief  to  make  particular  Enquiry  as  to  the 
Truth  —  After  some  time  I  obtained  full  Infor- 
mation of  their  Sufferings — It  was  proved  by 
some  Militia  of  good  Character,  that  on  being 
taken  they  were  put  under  the  Care  of  the  Gen- 
eral's Guard  &  kept  4  &  5  days  without  the  least 
Food  —  That  on  the  5th  Day  they  were  taken 
into  the  Provost,  where  a  small  Quantity  of  raw 
Pork  was  given  to  them  —  One  of  their  Number 
seized  and  devoured  it  with  so  much  Eagerness, 
that  he  immediately  dropped  down  dead, —  that 


CRUEL   TREATMENT    OF    PRISONERS.  85 

the  Provost  Marshal  used  to  sell  their  Provisions 
&  leave  them  to  starve,  as  he  did  their  allowance 
of  Wood —  I  reed  Information  from  a  British 
Officer,  who  confided  in  my  Integrity  —  That  he 
happened  in  the  Provost  just  at  the  Time  the 
Provost  Marshal  (Cunningham)  was  locking  up 
the  Prisoners  —  He  had  ordered  them  from  the 
Yard  into  the  House,  some  of  them  being  ill  with 
the  dysentery  and  could  scarcely  walk,  and  for 
not  coming  faster  he  would  beat  them  with  his 
Rattan  —  One  being  in  the  Necessary  delayed 
longer  than  the  Rest,  on  his  coming  up  cursing 
him  gave  him  a  Blow  with  one  of  the  large  Keys 
of  the  gaol,  which  killed  him  on  the  Spot  —  The 
Officer  exceedingly  affected  with  the  Sight,  went 
next  Day  &  lodged  a  formal  Complaint  of  the 
Murder  wdth  Genl  Howe's  Aid  —  After  waiting 
some  Days,  and  not  discovering  any  Measures 
taken  for  the  trial  of  Cunningham,  he  again  went 
to  Headquarters  &  requested  to  see  the  General 
but  was  refused  —  He  repeated  his  complaint  to 
his  Aid,  and  told  him  if  this  passed  unpunished, 
it  would  become  disreputable  to  wear  a  British 
Uniform  —  No  Notice  being  taken,  the  Officer 
determined  to  furnish  me  privately  with  the  Means 
of  Proof  of  the  Facts  so  that  Genl  Washington 
might  remonstrate  to  Genl  Howe  on  the  Subject 
—  I  reported  them  with  the  other  Testimony  I 
had  collected  to  Gen^  W — He  accordingly  wrote 
in  pretty  strong  Terms  to  Genl  Howe,  and  fixed 
a  Day,  when  if  he  did  not  receive  a  satisfactory 


86  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Answer,  he  would  retaliate  on  the  Prisoners  in 
his  Custody — On  the  Day  he  reed  an  Answer 
from  Gen^  Howe  acknowledging  that  on  Exam- 
ination, he  had  found  that  Cunningham  had  sold 
the  Prisoner's  Rations  publicly  in  the  Markett, 
that  he  had  therefore  removed  him  from  the 
Charge  of  the  Prisoners  &  appointed  Mr.  Henry 
H.  Ferguson  in  his  Place  —  This  gave  us  great 
Pleasure,  as  we  knew  Mr.  F'erguson  to  be  a  gent^ 
of  Character  and  great  Humanity  and  this  Issue 
justified  our  Expectations  —  But  to  our  great  Sur- 
prise Mr.  Cunningham  was  only  removed  from  the 
Provost  in  Philadelphia  &  sent  to  that  of  New 
York  — 

"  Soon  after  this  great  Complaints  being  made 
of  our  Prisoners  being  likely  to  perish  for  want  of 
Cloathing  &  Blanketts  having  been  mostly  stripped 
of  their  Cloathes  when  taken.  Application  was 
made  for  permission  to  purchase  (with  Provision 
the  British  wanted)  Blanketts  &  Cloathing  which 
should  be  used  only  by  the  Prisoners  while  in 
Confinement  —  This  was  agreed  to,  as  we  were  in- 
formed by  our  own  Agent  as  well  as  by  the  Brit- 
ish Commissary  —  Provisions  were  accordingly 
attempted  to  be  sent  in,  when  Genl  Howe  pre- 
tending to  Ignorance  in  the  Business,  forbid  the 
Provisions  to  be  admitted,  or  the  Blanketts  to  be 
purchased  —  On  this  I  gave  notice  to  the  Brit- 
ish Commissary  that  after  a  certain  day,  they 
must  provide  food  for  their  Prisoners  south  and 
west  of  New  Jersey  &  to  be  sent  in  from  their 


DEVICE    FOR   GETTING    BLANKETS.  Sj 

Lines,  as  they  should  no  longer  be  allowed  to  pur- 
chase Provisions  with  us  —  The  line  drawn,  arose 
from  our  being  at  Liberty  to  purchase  in  New 
York  —  This  made  a  great  Noise  when  Gen^ 
Howe  agreed  —  On  receiving  Gen^  Robertson's 
Letter  from  New  York  before  mentioned  urging 
the  Propriety  of  the  Measure  and  Order  that 
every  Person  in  Philadelphia  who  had  a  Blankett 
to  sell  or  to  spare  should  bring  them  into  the 
King's  Stores  —  When  this  was  done  he  then 
gave  my  Agent  Permission  to  purchase  Blanketts 
&  Cloathing  in  the  City  of  Philadelphia  —  On  my 
Agent's  attempting  it  he  found  every  Blankett  in 
the  City  purchased  by  the  Agents  for  the  Army 
so  that  not  a  Blankett  could  be  had  —  My  Agent 
knowing  the  necessities  of  our  Prisoners,  imme- 
diately employed  Persons  in  every  Part  of  the 
City,  and  before  Gen'  Howe  could  discover  his 
mission  purchased  up  every  Piece  of  Flannel  he 
could  meet  with  &  made  it  up  into  a  kind  of  Blan- 
kett which  answered  our  Purpose."  ^ 

EXTRACT     OF    A     LETTER    FROM     MR.    BOUDINOT     TO     MR. 
HUGH   FERGUSON,    DATED   JANUARY    lO,    1 778. 

"  It  gives  me  pain.  Sir,  that  I  am  obliged  to 
inform  you  that  it  is  expected  that  after  the  first 
day  of  February  next  you  will  supply  all  your 
prisoners  with  us  West  of  New  Jersey  with  every 
kind  of  provisions  sent  out  from  your  Lines ;  and 
that  I  have  it  positively  in  charge  not  to  suffer 

1  Reminiscences  ofElias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


88  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

your  Agent  to  purchase  any  provisions  in  the 
country  after  that  day.  The  proper  passports 
for  your  conveying  any  quantity  you  may  think 
proper  to  the  different  places  of  your  prisoners 
confinement,  shall  be  ready  whenever  you  require 
them  ;  and  your  Agents  shall  be  allowed  to  dis- 
tribute provisions  and  other  necessaries  as  you 
may  please  to  direct. 

*'  I  shall  also  take  care  that  our  prisoners  with 
you  are  fully  supplied  with  provisions  from  hence 
after  that  day.  As  to  Firewood  I  will  either  send 
a  sufficiency  to  them  or  supply  your  prisoners 
in  their  different  Cantonments  with  as  much  for 
every  Ten  men,  as  you  shall  assure  me  you  allow 
to  every  Ten  of  ours.  The  officers  in  like  man^ 
ner.  This  measure  has  become  absolutely  neces- 
sary as  it  is  rather  unequal  to  suffer  your  Agents 
to  purchase  every  kind  of  provision  at  their  plea- 
sure among  us,  whilst  our  Agent  is  refused  the 
privilege  of  purchasing  necessary  Cloathing  with 
you.  If  any  inconvenience  should  arise  to  the 
unfortunate  prisoners  on  this  account  it  cannot 
be  chargeable  to  us." 

(Endorsed) 
Mr.  BouDiNOT  to  Mr.  Ferguson  io"*  Jany  1778.1 

COMMISSARY    LORING    TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

New  York  Jan'  20*''  1778 

Sir 

I  am  directed  by  his  Excellency  General  Sir 
Henry  Clinton  to  acquaint  you  in  answer  to  your 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  chap,  a,  No.  78,  vol.  ii.  B,  p.  2H. 


LETTER   FROM    THE    ENGLISH    COMMISSARY.      89, 

letter  requesting  leave  to  come  into  New  York 
to  inspect  into  the  situation  of  your  Prisoners, 
that  not  having  a  wish  to  keep  anything  a  secret 
from  the  world  respecting  their  treatment  he  very 
readily  consents  to  your  Request,  and  it  is  his 
Excellency's  desire  that  you  bring  your  Papers 
with  you,  that  all  matters  may  be  settled  respect- 
ing the  Prisoners.  You  will  of  course  come  over 
to  Staten  Island  by  a  Flag  and  call  on  General 
Campbell  with  this  letter  which  will  serve  as  a 
pass  and  he  will  forward  you  to  New  York  where 
on  your  arrival  you  will  immediately  wait  on  Gen- 
eral Robertson  the  Commandant,  till  when  you 
will  excuse  my  answering  your  last  letter,  as  I 
^shall  have  an  opportunity  of  settling  all  these 
matters  more  fully  — 

I  am  Sir  your  most  ob* 
Humble  Servant 

Jos'"    LORING 

Commis''  Pris""^ 

Elias  Boudinot 

at 
Elizabeth  Town 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes  :  — 

"  The  Complaints  of  the  very  cruel  Treatment 
our  Prisoners  met  with,  in  the  Enemy's  Lines 
rose  to  such  a  Height  that  in  the  Fall  of  this 
Year  1777  the  General  wrote  to  Gen^  Howe  (or 
Clinton)  repeating  their  Complaints  and  propos- 
ing to  send  an  Officer  into  New  York  to  examine 
into  the  Truth  of  them  —  This  was  agreed  to  and 

1  Family  papers. 


90  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

a  regular  Passport  returned  accordingly  —  The 
General  ordered  me  on  this  Service  —  I  accord- 
ingly went  over  on  the  third  of  February,  1778 
in  my  own  sloop  —  Supposing  that  my  Treatment 
would  be  very  harsh,  I  prepared  to  meet  with  it 
in  a  proper  Manner  —  At  Staten  Island,  the  Com- 
manding General,  put  on  Board  of  us  a  Sergeant 
&  File  of  Men  —  We  arrived  at  the  Wharf  of 
New  York  a  little  before  Sundown,  when  I  sent 
the  Sergeant  to  the  Commandant  of  the  City 
(who  was  General  Robertson  whom  I  had  formerly 
known,)  to  inform  him  of  my  Arrival  and  request 
to  land  —  In  a  very  short  time  the  Sergeant  re- 
turned with  the  Answer  that  I  must  send  my  rank 
&  business  before  I  could  be  permitted  to  land  — 
Knowing  that  the  General  knew  both  I  was  cha- 
grined at  this  Answer  and  immediately  turning  to 
the  Captain  of  my  Sloop  in  the  Presence  of  the 
Sergeant  asked  him  if  the  Wind  would  suit  to 
return  over  the  Bay  —  To  which  he  answered  in 
the  Affirmative  —  I  then  took  out  my  watch  and 
addressing  the  Sergeant  told  him  to  return  to  his 
General  and  inform  him  that  I  would  neither  send 
my  Rank  or  Business  —  He  well  knew  both  and 
that  if  I  was  not  suffered  to  land  in  ten  Minutes, 
I  should  return  from  whence  I  came  —  The  Ser- 
geant surprised  at  such  a  Message  to  the  Com- 
manding General  ran  with  great  Haste  to  deliver 
this  Answer  and  much  sooner  than  I  could  have 
expected  Major  Courtland  returned  with  the  Ser- 
geant &  very  politely  desired  me  to  land,  as  he 


EXPERIENCE    IN    NEW    YORK.  9 1 

was  ordered  to  conduct  me  to  the  Commissary  of 
Prisoners  —  When  I  came  to  Mr.  Commissary 
Loring,  he  behaved  very  civilly,  and  after  taking 
tea  with  him,  desired  me  to  attend  him  to  the 
General  —  I  found  no  Ceremony  of  blinding  me 
or  any  other  Restraint  which  I  had  expected —  I 
wore  a  Uniform  &  Sword  by  my  Side  —  The 
General  Rec"^  me  with  great  Politeness  &  ap- 
peared as  friendly  &  sociable  as  he  had  used  to 
do  before  the  War  —  He  conversed  very  freely 
with  me  for  near  two  Hours  without  mentioning 
anything  relative  to  the  Manner  of  conducting 
myself  while  in  the  Garrison  —  At  length  he  in- 
formed me  that  Lodgings  were  prepared  for  me 
and  the  Commissary  would  wait  upon  me  to  them 
—  I  answered  that  my  being  in  a  garrisoned 
Town  was  an  entire  new  Thing  to  me,  and  there- 
fore if  I  asked  anything  improper,  I  hoped  it 
would  be  imputed  to  my  Want  of  Knowledge  of 
military  Customs —  That  I  had  a  Brother  in  law 
in  the  City  who  was  my  Agent,  and  therefore 
should  be  glad,  if  consistent  with  Order,  to  lodge 
with  him  —  The  General  with  great  Politeness 
assured  me  that  tho'  Lodgings  were  prepared,  yet 
I  might  go  where  I  pleased,  on  consideration  of 
my  breakfasting  with  him  in  the  Morning  — 
This  I  promised  to  do  &  retired  —  Taking  it  for 
granted  that  I  was  to  be  put  under  the  expected 
Restrictions  in  the  Morning,  I  waited  on  the 
General  at  Breakfast ;  He  behaved  as  before  with 
the    greatest    Civility   &   good    Humor  —  After 


92  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

Breakfast  he  asked  a  great  many  Questions  about 
the  News  in  our  Lines,  and  conversed  on  common 
Topics,  but  said  nothing  about  my  Conduct  while 
in  the  City ;  on  which  I  recapitulated  the  Busi- 
ness on  which  I  had  come  —  That  I  was  a  Stran- 
ger to  military  Rule — I  knew  that  I  was  in  a 
garrisoned  Town  and  therefore  wished  to  know 
what  Line  of  Conduct  it  was  expected  I  was  to 
pursue  —  The  General  answered  me,  that  he  knew 
We  had  heard  strange  Stories  within  our  Lines 
of  their  Conduct  to  our  Prisoners  —  That  he 
had  rejoiced  that  Gen^  Washington  had  taken  the 
Measure  of  sending  rhe  in  to  examine  for  our- 
selves, for  that  he  was  sure  that  we  should  find 
them  a  parcel  of  damned  Lies  —  That  he  had 
ordered  every  Place  that  I  should  choose  to  visit 
to  be  freely  opened  to  me,  and  that  as  I  was  a 
Gentleman,  all  that  he  expected  was,  that  I  should 
behave  as  such  ;  and  that  I  might  use  my  own 
Pleasure  &  go  where  I  pleased  —  I  confess  I  was 
surprised  at  this  generous  Conduct ;  and  imme- 
diately replied,  that  I  could  not  accept  this  gentle- 
manly Offer  —  That  I  had  come  on  a  fair  and 
open  Business  —  That  I  had  no  Secrets  to  com- 
municate &  would  not  receive  any  from  any  Per- 
son whatever  —  That  I  could  not  put  myself  so 
far  in  their  Power,  as  after  my  Departure,  to 
render  it  possible  for  them  to  charge  me  with 
improper  Behaviour  unworthy  my  Character,  by 
communicating:  or  receiving:  secret  Intellig:ence 
to  or  from    our  Officers  —  That  my  Intentions 


COLONEL  ETHAN  ALLEN.  93 

were  not  only  to  be  convinced  myself  of  the 
Truth  of  the  Treatment  the  Prisoners  had  re- 
ceived, but  if  it  had  been  cruel,  that  the  General 
also  should  be  convinced  of  the  fact  as  necessary 
towards  their  Relief — That  therefore  I  should 
not  see  a  Prisoner  or  have  any  Communication 
with  one,  but  in  the  Presence  of  a  British  Officer, 
who  I  hoped  he  would  oblige  me  by  appointing 
to  attend  me  —  The  General  expressed  himself 
well  pleased  with  the  Proposal,  and  appointed 
one  accordingly,  observing  again,  that  he  was  sure 
I  should  find  the  Reports  we  had  heard  totally 
false  —  Accordingly  I  went  to  the  Provost  with 
the  Officer  where  we  found  near  30  officers  from 
Colonels  downwards  in  close  confinement  in  the 
Gaol  in  New  York  —  After  some  Conversation 
with  Coll  Ethan  Allen  I  told  him  my  Errand  on 
which  he  was  very  free  in  his  abuse  of  the  British 
on  account  of  the  cruel  treatment  he  had  rec^ 
during  months  close  confinement —  We  then  pro- 
ceeded upstairs  to  the  room  of  their  confinement 
—  I  had  the  Officers  drawn  up  in  a  Ring,  and  in- 
formed them  of  my  Mission  —  That  I  was  deter- 
mined to  hear  nothing  in  Secret  —  That  I  there- 
fore hoped  they  would  each  of  them  in  their  turn 
report  to  me  faithfully  &  candidly  the  Treatment 
they  severally  had  received  —  That  my  Design 
was  to  obtain  them  the  proper  Redress,  but  if 
they  kept  back  anything  from  an  improper  Fear 
of  their  Keepers  they  would  have  themselves  only 
to  blame  for  their  want  of  immediate   Redress  — 


94  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

That  for  the  Purpose  of  their  Deliverance,  the 
British  officer  attended  that  the  British  General 
should  be  also  well  informed  of  the  Facts  —  On 
this  after  some  little  Hesitation  from  a  Dread  of 
their  Keeper  the  Provost  Marshal,  one  of  them 
began  &  informed  us  —  that  they  had  been  con- 
fined on  the  most-  frivolous  Pretences,  some  for 
having  been  the  Oppressors  of  the  Friends  of 
Government,  for  taking  Refugees  &  Property 
while  Officers  under  Command  and  in  Obedi- 
ence to  Orders,  for  being  out  of  their  bounds 
of  Parole,  tho'  weeks  after  their  Return  —  Some 
confined  in  the  Dungeon  for  a  Night  to  await 
the  Leisure  of  General  to  examine  them  &  forgot 
for  Months — for  being  Committee  Men,  &c.  &c. 
—  That  they  had  received  the  most  cruel  Treat- 
ment from  the  Provost  Marshal,  being  locked  up 
in  the  Dungeon  on  the  most  trifling  Pretence, 
such  as  asking  for  more  Water  for  Drink  on  a 
hotter  Day  than  usual  —  For  sitting  up  a  little 
longer  in  the  Evening  than  the  Orders  allowed  — 
For  writing  a  Letter  to  the  General  making  their 
Complaints  of  ill-usage  &  throwing  out  of  the 
Windows  —  That  some  of  them  were  kept  lo,  12 
&  14  weeks  in  the  Dungeon  on  these  trifling  Pre- 
tences—  A  Capt.  Vandyke  had  been  confined  18 
Months  for  being  concerned  in  setting  Fire  to  the 
City,  when  on  my  calling  for  the  Provost  Books 
it  appeared  that  he  had  been  made  Prisoner  & 
closely  confined  by  the  Provost  4  Days  before  the 
Fire  happened  —  A  Major  Paine  had  been  con- 


COMPLAINTS    OF    OFFICERS.  95 

fined  1 1  months  for  killing  a  Capt.  Campbell  in 
the  Engagement  when  he  was  taken  Prisoner, 
when  on  Examination  it  appeared  that  the  Cap- 
tain had  been  killed  in  another  part  of  the  Action 
—  The  Charge  was  that  Major  Paine  when  taken 
had  no  Commission,  tho'  acknowledged  by  us  as 
a  Major  —  Capt  Flabwen  was  confined  for  break- 
ing a  soldier's  thigh  with  the  butt  of  his  gun  after 
he  was  shot  down  when  the  British  surgeon  on 
Examination  acknowledged  that  the  Thigh  was 
broken  by  a  Ball  &c.  &c.  —  Most  of  the  Cases 
examined  into  turned  out  either  wholly  false  or 
too  trifling  to  be  regarded —  It  also  appeared  by 
the  Declaration  of  some  of  the  Gent^  that  their 
Water  would  be  sometimes,  as  the  Caprice  of  the 
Provost  Marshall  led  him,  brought  up  to  them  in 
the  Tubs  they  used  in  their  Rooms,  when  the 
Weather  was  so  hot  that  they  must  drink  or 
perish  —  On  hearing  a  number  of  these  Instances 
of  Cruelty  —  I  asked  who  was  the  Author  of 
them  —  They  answered  th6  Provost  Keeper  —  I 
desired  the  Oflicer  to  call  him  up  that  we  might 
have  him  Face  to  Face  —  He  accordingly  came 
in  and  on  being  informed  of  what  had  passed  was 
asked  if  the  Complaints  were  true  —  He  with 
great  Insolence  answered  that  every  Word  was 
true  —  on  which  the  British  Oflicer  abusing  him 
very  much  asked  him  how  he  dared  treat  Gent^ 
in  that  cruel  Manner —  He  insolently  putting  his 
Hands  to  his  side  swore  that  he  was  as  absolute 
there  as   Gen^   Howe   was    at   the    Head  of   his 


96  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Army  —  I  observed  to  the  Officer  that  now  there 
could  be  no  Dispute  about  Facts  as  the  Fellow 
had  acknowledged  every  Word  to  be  true  — 
I  stated  all  the  Facts  and  Substance  &  waited 
again  on  Genl  Robertson,  who  hoped  I  was  quite 
satisfied  of  the  falsity  of  the  Reports  I  had  heard 
—  I  then  stated  to  him  the  Facts,  and  assured 
him  that  they  turned  out  worse  than  anything  we 
had  heard  —  On  his  hesitating  as  to  the  truth  of 
this  assertion,  I  observed  to  him  the  Propriety  of 
having  an  Officer  with  me  to  whom  I  now  ap- 
pealed for  the  Truth  of  the  Facts  —  He  being 
present  confirmed  them  —  On  which  the  Gen^ 
expressed  great  Dissatisfaction  &  promised  that 
the  Author  of  them  should  be  punished  —  I  In- 
sisted that  Officers  should  be  discharged  from  his 
Power  on  Parole  on  Long  Island  as  other  Officers 
were  —  To  this  after  receiving  from  me  a  Copy 
of  the  Facts  I  had  taken  down,  he  assented  and 
all  were  discharged  except  seven,  who  were  de- 
tained sometime  before  I  could  obtain  their  Re- 
lease —  I  forgot  to  mention  that  one  officer  Lieut. 
Luker  was  taken  Prisoner  and  brought  in  with  a 
Wound  thro'  his  Leg  —  He  was  sent  to  the  Pro- 
vost to  be  examined  the  next  Morning  —  He  was 
put  into  the  Dungeon  and  remained  there  10 
Weeks  totally  forgotten  by  the  Genl  and  never 
had  his  Wound  dressed  except  as  he  washed  It 
with  a  little  Rum  and  Water  given  him  by  the 
Sentinels  thro'  the  Grief  Hole  out  of  their  own 
Rations  —  Cap*  Travene   and   a  Cap*   Chatham 


/•"       ^^'  OF  THE       "^      ^ 

ftTNIVERSITT; 
GREAT    SUFFERING.-     '         --^  ^7 

were  confined  with  them  and  their  Allowance 
was  4  pounds  hard  spoiled  Biscuit  &  2  lbs  Pork 
pr  Week  which  they  were  obliged  to  eat  raw  — 
While  they  were  thus  confined  for  the  slightest 
Complaints,  the  Provost  Marshal  would  come 
down  and  beat  them  most  unmercifully  with  a 
Rattan  &  even  knock  them  down  with  his  Fist  — 
after  this  I  visited  two  Hospitals  of  our  sick  Pris- 
oners and  the  Sugar  House;  in  the  two  first  were 
211  Prisoners  &  in  the  last  about  190 — They 
acknowledged  that  for  about  two  Months  past 
they  fared  pretty  well,  being  allowed  2  lbs  of  good 
Beef  and  a  Proportion  of  Flour  or  Bread  pr 
Week  by  Mr.  Lewis  Pintard  my  Agent,  over  and 
above  the  Allowance  reed  from  the  British,  which 
was  professed  to  be  |  Allowance  —  but  before 
they  had  suffered  much  from  the  small  Allowance 
they  had  rec^  &  that  their  Bread  was  very  bad, 
being  musty  Biscuit,  but  that  the  British  Soldiers 
made  the  same  Complaint  as  to  the  Bread  — 
From  every  Account  I  rec^  I  found  that  their 
Treatment  had  been  greatly  changed  for  the 
better,  within  a  few  Months  past,  except  at  the 
Provost  —  They  all  agreed  that  previous  to  the 
Capture  of  Genl  Burgoyne,  and  for  sometime 
after,  their  Treatment  had  been  cruel  beyond 
Measure  —  That  the  Prisoners  in  the  French 
Church  amounting  on  an  Average  to  3  &  400 
could  not  all  lay  down  at  once  —  That  from  the 
15th  of  Oct'  to  the  ist  of  Jan^  they  never  rec^  a 
single  stick  of  Wood,  and  that  for  the  most  Part 


98  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

they  eat  their  Pork  raw  —  When  the  Pews  & 
Door  &  Window  facings  failed  them  for  fuel  — 
But  as  to  my  own  personal  Knowledge,  I  found 
Gen^  Robertson  very  ready  to  agree  to  every 
Measure  for  alleviating  the  Miseries  of  War  and 
very  candidly  acknowledging  many  Faults  com- 
mitted by  the  inferior  Officers,  and  even  the  Mis- 
takes of  the  General  himself,  by  hearkening  to 
the  Representations  of  those  around  him  —  He 
showed  me  a  letter  from  Gen^  Howe  who  was  in 
Philadelphia,  giving  Orders  that  he  should  not 
be  at  liberty  to  purchase  Blanketts  within  their 
Lines  —  and  containing  a  copy  of  an  Order  I 
had  issued,  that  they  should  not  purchase  Pro- 
visions within  ours,  by  way  of  Retaliation  —  But 
he  represented  it  as  if  my  Order  was  first  —  I 
stated  the  facts  to  Genl  Robertson  who  assured 
me  that  Gen^  Howe  had  been  imposed  upon  & 
requested  me  to  state  the  Facts  by  way  of  Letter 
which  he  immediately  wrote  to  Gen^  Howe  urging 
the  Propriety  of  reversing  his  Orders,  which  after- 
ward he  did  in  a  very  hypocritical  Manner  as  will 
be  seen  hereafter. 

"  One  Day  calling  on  Gen'  Robertson  he  asked 
me  if  I  had  any  Objection  agt  a  free  private  polit- 
ical Conversation  —  I  answered  that  I  could  not 
have  any — He  asked  me  up  into  his  Bedroom, 
and  began  by  asking  me,  why  so  much  Blood 
was  shed,  among  those  who  were  once  Brethren, 
when  it  was  apparent  that  no  valuable  End  could 
be  answered  by  it  —  Why  no  one  had  yet  stepped 


POLITICAL    DISCUSSION.  99 

forth  to  stop  so  unnatural  a  Breach  &  prevent  the 
cutting  each  other's  throats —  I  replied,  that  no 
good  reason  could  be  assigned  —  That  the  fault 
lay  with  them  —  They  had  invaded  our  Land  — 
We  had  not  troubled  them  —  That  all  we  had 
asked  was  to  be  heard — That  this  was  refused 
and  War  &  Desolation  was  brought  by  them 
into  our  Country —  It  was  therefore  with  them  to 
make  Propositions,  that  we  might  know  what  it 
was  they  would  be  at  —  That  we  were  not  only 
strangers  to  &  ignorant  in  the  Art  of  War  and 
almost  wholly  unprepared  for  it,  but  were  Lovers 
of  Peace  &  only  wished  to  enjoy  our  Habitations 
in  Quietness,  without  quarreling  with  any  one  — 
He  expressed  himself  very  strongly  agt  the  War 
as  an  unnatural  Destruction  of  each  other  by 
which  nothing  valuable  was  to  be  obtained  — 
That  he  was  authorized  to  assure  me,  that  if  any 
one  would  step  forward  &  heal  the  unhappy 
difference,  that  he  should  be  rewarded  in  any 
Manner  he  should  ask,  even  to  a  Pension  of  Ten 
thousand  Pounds  sterling  —  I  observed  to  him 
that  there  could  be  no  necessity  for  this — That 
the  Americans  were  desirous  of  Peace,  and  would 
eagerly  seize  every  opportunity  of  embracing  it 
—  But  that  Propositions  from  the  nature  of  the 
Thing  must  come  from  them —  He  observed  that 
Lord  Howe  and  Genl  Howe  had  been  authorized 
to  make  Peace  with  us  on  almost  any  Terms  — 
I  assured  him  that  I  had  been  conversant  with 
the  Proceedings  of  Congress  &  the  knowledge  of 


lOO  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Gen^  Washington  and  I  did  not  believe  that  any 
such  Thing  was  known  —  After  a  little  Reflection, 
he  answered  that  the  Fact  was  so,  and  that  Lord 
Howe  had  actually  written  an  Account  of  it  to 
Genl  Washington  before  his  Landing,  while  off 
the  Hook  at  Sea  —  On  my  repeating  my  Disbe- 
lief of  it,  he  told  me  that  this  was  one  of  the  Evils 
of  the  present  Dispute  —  That  a  Parcel  of  Dama- 
gogues  had  possessed  themselves  of  the  Govt  and 
kept  the  People  in  entire  Ignorance  of  the  true 
Principles  of  the  Difference  between  us — That 
he  was  sure  if  the  People  of  America  were  left  to 
themselves,  they  had  too  much  good  sense  to  con- 
tinue the  Breach,  after  such  Offers  of  Peace  on 
our  own  Terms  —  At  last  starting  as  from  a  rev- 
erie, he  said  we  must  know  it  as  he  had  seen 
Lord  Howe's  Letter  in  our  Newspapers  —  I  asked 
him  if  he  did  not  know  that  Lord  Howe's  Author- 
ity went  no  farther  than  merely  to  grant  Pardons 
&c.  —  He  seemed  confused  and  said,  that  any 
Agreement  he  made  would  be  ratified  by  the  Par- 
liament of  Great  Britain  —  I  then  reminded  him 
that  the  War  had  been  brought  on  by  the  British 
Ministry  having  refused  to  suffer  Parliament  only 
to  hear  us,  that  being  the  Sum  of  our  last  Peti- 
tion ;  and  whether  (as  he  had  said  he  knew  many 
sensible  &  worthy  Men  in  America)  He  thought 
those  sensible  Men  would  ever  submit  to  make 
a  Treaty  with  any  British  Commissioners  (and 
thereby  lose  the  Friendship  of  France)  and  trust 
to  a  British  Ministry  (whose  treatment  had  hith- 


ALLEGIANCE  AND  PROTECTION.       lOI 

erto  been  so  unworthy  men  of  Probity  or  political 
Understanding)  to  have  it  ratified  by  Parliament  — 
He  now  seemed  a  little  chagrined,  and  said  with 
seeming  Petulance,  that  he  did  not  know  what  the 
American  Gen^  had  done  with  their  Oaths  of 
Allegiance  —  Indeed  Sir,  I  know  not  how,  you 
have  got  over  your  Oath  of  Allegiance,  for  I 
know  you  have  taken  one  —  I  answered,  that  it 
had  been  a  Matter  of  some  Difficulty  to  me  till  I 
was  legally  discharged  by  an  Act  of  the  British 
Parliament — He  said  he  had  never  heard  of  any 
such  Act  —  I  told  him  (much  in  the  language  he 
had  used  in  the  Beginning  to  me)  that  I  had  long 
known  the  Misfortune  of  the  British  Officers  — 
That  they  were  kept  hoodwinked  and  in  total 
ignorance  of  the  causes  and  Reasons  of  the  War 
in  which  they  were  engaged  —  That  they  were 
obliged  to  obey  &  fight  in  every  Cause  whether 
right  or  wrong  —  That  I  supposed  that  this  Act 
was  kept  from  getting  to  their  Knowledge  —  But 
I  knew  the  Fact,  and  had  seen  it  in  St.  Jame's 
Chronicle  published  by  Authority — He  assured 
me  that  it  must  be  a  Congressional  Falsehood, 
and  that  no  such  Act  had  ever  been  passed  — 
I  then  asked  him  if  he  was  acquainted  with 
the  British  Constitution  —  He  answered  in  the 
Affirmative  —  I  asked  him  what  he  thought  of 
Allegiance  &  Protection  —  He  said  they  always 
went  together,  and  that  without  Protection  no 
Allegiance  was  due  —  I  replied,  have  you  never 
seen   Sir,  an  Act  of   Parliament  putting  all  the 


I02  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Colonies  (Friends  and  Foes)  out  of  the  King's 
Protection  —  The  old  Gent^  seemed  alarmed  at 
his  Confession  and  with  Warmth  said  —  '  A 
Damned  Act'  —  'a  Damned  act'  —  'I  told  the 
Ministry  so  at  the  Time  — ^  They  were  distracted 

—  a  Damned  Act  —  Let  us  go  down  Stairs' — 
And  our  Conversation  ended." 

Mr.  Boudinot  also  writes:  — 

"  When  the  British  Army  took  possession  of 
New  York  they  found  a  Frenchman  in  Gaol 
under  condemnation  for  Burglary  and  Robberies 

—  He  was  liberated  —  He  was  a  very  low,  igno- 
rant man — Had  been  a  servant  —  This  fellow 
was  set  over  our  Prisoners  in  the  Hospital  as  a 
Surgeon  —  tho'  he  knew  not  the  least  principle 
of  the  Art  —  Dr.  McHenry,  a  Physician  of  note 
in  the  American  Army,  and  then  a  Prisoner,  find- 
ing the  extreme  ignorance  of  this  Man  and  that 
he  was  really  murdering  our  People  remonstrated 
to  the  British  Director  of  the  Hospital  and  re- 
fused visiting  our  sick  prisoners  if  this  Man  was 
not  dismissed  —  A  British  ofBcer  convinced  that 
he  had  killed  several  of  our  People,  lodged  a  com- 
plaint agt  him,  when  he  was  ordered  to  be  tryed 
by  a  Court  Martial,  but  the  morning  before  the 
court  were  to  sit  this  officer  was  ordered  off  to 
St.  Johns  and  the  criminal  was  discharged  for 
want  of  evidence.  During  the  time  this  man  had 
the  charge  of  our  Prisoners  in  the  Hospital,  two 
of  our  Men  deserted  from  the  Hospital  and  came 
into  our  Army  where  they  were  ordered  to  me  for 


MORTALITY   AMONG    PRISONERS.  IO3 

Examination  —  They  joined  in  this  story  —  That 
they  were  sick  in  the  Hospital  under  the  care  of 
the  above  Frenchman  —  that  he  came  and  exam- 
ined them  and  gave  to  each  of  them  a  Dose  of 
Physic  to  be  taken  immediately  —  A  young  woman 
their  nurse  made  them  some  private  signs  not  to 
take  the  Physic  immediately  —  after  the  Doctor 
was  gone  she  told  them  she  suspected  the  Physic 
was  poison  —  that  she  had  several  times  heard 
this  Frenchman  say  that  he  would  have  ten  rebels 
dead  in  such  a  Room,  and  five  dead  in  such  a 
Room,  the  next  morning,  and  that  it  always  so 
happened  —  They  asked  her  what  they  should  do 

—  She  told  them  their  only  chance  was,  to  get 
off,  sick  as  they  were  —  That  she  would  help 
them  out,  and  that  they  must  shift  for  themselves 

—  They  accordingly  got  off  safe  &  brought  the 
Physic  with  them  —  This  was  given  to  a  Sur- 
geon's mate  who  afterwards  reported  that  he  gave 
it  to  a  Dog  and  that  he  died  in  a  short  time  —  I 
afterwards  saw  an  Acct  in  the  London  Paper  of 
this  same  Frenchman  being  taken  up  in  England 
for  some  Crime  and  condemned  to  die  —  At  his 
execution  he  acknowledged  the  fact  of  his  having 
murdered  a  great  number  of  rebels  in  the  hos- 
pital at  New  York  by  poison  —  That  on  his  re- 
porting to  General  Howe  the  number  of  Prisoners 
dead,  he  raised  his  pay — He  further  confessed 
that  he  poisoned  the  Wells  used  by  the  American 
Flying  Camp,  which  caused  such  an  uncommon 
Mortality  among  them  in  the  year  1776."  ^ 

1  Reminiscences  of  E lias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


CHAPTER  VL 

Letter  to  Mrs.  Boudinot  from  Valley  Forge,  March  4,  1778.  —  Dangerous 
journey  back.  —  Mrs.  Washington.  —  Weather  bitter.  —  Misses  his 
bed;  lays  upon  blankets.  —  Asks  for  rusk,  etc.  —  March  11,  to  his  wife. 

—  Appointed  one  of  the  commissioners  for  settling  exchange  of  prison- 
ers, to  meet  at  Germantown.  —  March  15,  writes  again,  deplores  absence 
from  home  and  the  unnatural  war.  —  General  Washington  and  officers 
remonstrate  against  his  leaving  the  army,  while  seeing  the  necessity 
for  his  going  to  Congress.  —  March  27,  just  returned  from  consulting 
with  commissioners.  —  Deplores  Susan's  negligence  in  writing.  —  Intel- 
ligence of  French  merchantmen  under  convoy  at  the  Carolinas.  —  Our 
vessels  at  Martinique. —  Commissary  Loring  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Mr. 
Boudinot  to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Preparing  for  home.  —  News  from  Eng- 
land.—  Temple  Luttrel's  speech.  —  April  17,  hopes  to  finish  his  busi- 
ness next  week.  —  Anxiety  to  join  his  wife.  —  Mrs.  Washington  wishes 
for  her.  —  His  daughter's  expostulation  with  British  officer. — Arrived 
at  home. —  Writes  to  General  Washington,  May  13,  from  Baskingridge. 

—  Had  been  to  Morris  Town,  and  with  Colonel  Campbell  to  New  York. 

—  Major-General  Daniel  Jones  and  General  Valentine  Jones  will  re- 
lieve prisoners.  —  Colonel  Campbell's  interest  in  business.  —  Exchanged 
prisoners  anxious  for  employment. —  Mr.  Boudinot  engaged  on  ac- 
counts. —  Letters  from  General  Washington,  requesting  his  immediate 
presence  at  camp  on  account  of  general  exchange  of  prisoners.  —  Colonel 
Francis  Johnson  to  succeed  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Refuses  appointment. — 
Major  Beaty  nominated  in  his  place.  —  Commissary  Loring  to  Colonel 
Hamilton. 

Mr.  Boudinot,  being  In  the  neighborhood  of 
his  family,  has,  subsequent  to  his  first  Interesting 
visit  to  New  York,  paid  them  a  visit,  as  on  reach- 
ing Valley  Forge  a  month  after  leaving  there,  he 
writes  to  Mrs.  Boudinot :  — 

Camp  Valley  Forge 
March  4th  1778 

My  very  DEAR  Wife 

Want  of  opportunity  &  a  continual  hurry  has 


DANGEROUS   JOURNEY.  105 

prevented  the  enjoyment  of  my  peculiar  Pleasure, 
writing  to  my  dearest  wife  till  this  evening  &  now 
I  am  obliged  to  encroach  on  midnight  for  the 
Purpose^  I  did  not  arrive  here  till  the  Sunday 
afternoon  after  I  left  you  —  you  can  form  no  idea 
of  the  horrid  Journey  —  I  was  playing  bow-peep 
with  the  Enemy  in  all  those  dreadful  roads  for 
upwards  of  Sixty  Miles  between  Delaware  & 
Skuylkill  —  I  lodged  three  nights  in  great  dan- 
ger of  being  taken  and  had  I  set  off  on  Saturday 
instead  of  Monday,  in  all  probability  I  should 
have  had  a  short  cut  to  Philadelphia  —  However 
by  the  goodness  of  Gracious  God,  I  am  safe  here 
tho'  almost  worried  out  —  We  are  badly  off  here 
for  every  kind  of  store  &  I  miss  my  waggon 
greatly,  yet  am  rejoiced  that  I  did  not  bring  it  as 
my  horses  must  have  starved  —  I  cannot  possibly 
get  away  till  some  business  of  Importance  is  fin- 
ished here,  when  I  shall  fly  to  the  Arms  of  my 
beloved  —  I  send  the  bearer  express  for  the  pur- 
pose of  bringing  all  the  letters  received  that  are 
in  bundles  in  my  little  leather  trunk,  which  I 
cannot  do  without  —  also  several  other  bundles 
in  which  the  Papers  appear  to  be  endorsed  in  my 
hand  writing  — 

M'"'  Washington  presents  her  best  compliments 
—  Pray  send  me  a  pound  of  chocolate  &  if  you 
have  any  rusk  or  gingerbread  —  everything  here 
is  scarce  &  dear  —  I  miss  my  bed  as  the  weather 
is  bitter  to  lay  on  Blanketts  but  all  is  wxll  for  us 


I06  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

poor  soldiers.     Dont  keep  the  express  as  he  must 
be  here  again  by  Sunday  night  at  farthest. 
With  ever  increasing  affection 

Your  faithful  Husband 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

Mrs.  BOUDINOT. 

EXTRACT  OF  A  LETTER  FROM  MR.  FERGUSON  DATED 
MARCH  6,  1778.2 

Sir 

In  answer  to  yours  of  the  2d  inst.  I  am  desired 
to  acquaint  you  that  Sir  Wm  Howe  only  waits 
the  arrival  of  our  ofBcers  in  Philadelphia  to  order 
yours  to  be  sent  out — His  Exd^  also  has  no 
objection  to  giving  a  Lieutenant  Colonel  in  Ex- 
change for  Lt.  Colonel  Connolly,  and  the  Com- 
mander in  Chief  is  willing  that  Coll  Swope  be 
returned  for  Gov.  Franklin  — 

Am  &c. 

Elias  Boudinot  Esq. 

From  Camp  on  March  the  nth  he  writes  to 
his  wife :  — 

I  have  been  prevailed  on  against  my  Inclina- 
tion but  at  the  particular  request  of  the  General 
which  I  could  not  withstand,  to  accept  of  the 
appointment  of  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  set- 
tling a  Treaty  of  Exchange  of  Prisoners  on  the 
part  of  the  United  States  of  America  with  Gen- 

1  Family  letters. 

2  Washington  Letters,  No.  78,  vol.  ii.  B,  p.  397,  MSS.,  Department  of 
State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


REGRETS    HIS    DOMESTIC    LIFE.  lOJ 

eral  Howe  under  the  crown  of  Great  Britain.  We 
are  to  meet  at  Germantown  the  31st  Inst  —  This  is 
a  disagreeable  circumstance,  as  it  will  prevent  my 
seeing  you  till  April  —  I  have  been  so  engaged 
since  I  have  been  here,  that  I  have  had  scarce 
time  to  write  you  a  word  —  I  am  almost  tired  out 
(I  can  assure  you  my  dearest  and  beloved  wife 
that  not  all  the  honors  Preferments  and  Pleasures 
that  I  ever  do  enjoy  and  they  would  have  been 
thought  important  by  many  who  are  seeking  for 
them,  can  any  ways  recompense  or  satisfy  me 
for  the  loss  of  those  sweet  delights  and  heart  felt 
joys  of  domestic  felicity,  which  have  so  largely 
been  dealt  out  to  me  by  the  indulgent  hand  of 
Heaven  —  Never  can  I  consent  to  be  deprived  of 
them  so  long  again  without  a  still  more  complete 
and  full  conviction  of  a  call  from  that  God  who  I 
hope  will  ever  have  my  whole  heart  and  all  the 
powers  of  my  soul  and  body  at  every  risque — ) 
My  dearest  wife  may  depend  on  every  step  I  take 
however  it  may  appear  to  her,  at  first  sight  being 
calculated  in  my  opinion  to  hasten  the  happy 
Time  when  I  shall  again  become  the  retired, 
unnoticed  domestic  man,  content  with  a  bare  suffi- 
ciency for  Life  but  so  as  to  enjoy  my  beloved 
family  in  peace  —  I  am  engaged  in  public  Life,  I 
must  retreat  with  Honor — This  I  am  doing  as 
fast  as  I  can  and  I  hope  it  will  not  be  long  before 
I  shall  accomplish  this  desirable  end  —  My  dearest 
daughter  shares  largely  in  her  father's  affections 
and  often  is  the  subject  of  his  thoughtful  moments 


I08  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

—  May  a  holy  God  protect  and  comfort  you  both 
and  be  your  salvation  to  the  ends  of  the  earth  — 

There  are  a  number  of  gentlemen  sitting  along 
side  of  me  playing  checquers  who  make  such  a 
noise  that  dins  my  ears  —  I  would  rather  spend 
an  hour  with  my  little  family  than  to  enjoy  the 
best  company  the  Country  affords  and  the  chit 
chat  conversation  of  my  little  humble  peaceful 
cott  has  more  alluring  pleasure  to  my  homely 
mind  than  all  the  brilliancy  of  wit  &  humour  — 
I  acknowledge  you  may  upbraid  me  and  say  all 
this  is  owing  to  my  Indolence  —  My  dearest  love 
knows  I  am  not  Indolent,  though  I  love  Indolence 

—  I  am  called  off  —  I  cannot  add  more  than 
my  love  to  the  family,  Sister  &  all  Friends  &  to 
assure  you  how  much  I  am  with  an  increasing 
affection  &  Esteem 

Your  ever  sincere  &  loving  husband 

Elias  Boudinot. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Camp  March*  15th  1778 

My  dearest  Wife 

I  know  you  cannot  object  to  another  line  from 
your  fond,  too  fond  Husband  altho'  he  troubled 
you  with  a  scrawl  but  last  night  —  My  beloved 
family  lay  near  my  heart  and  therefore  must  often 
employ  my  Pen  tho'  I  have  so  little  to  say  — 
Writing  to  distant  friends  seems  to  draw  them  to 
you  or  carries  you  to  them  —  I  often  repeat  my 
wishes  to  fly  to  my  former  requiem  in  the  posses- 


DETESTATION    OF    WAR.  IO9 

sion  of  my  long  lost  domestic  Peace  and  tranquil- 
lity, which  this  cruel,  unnatural  War  has  so  deeply 
wounded  in  an  essential  Part.  I  still  live  in  hope 
and  please  myself  with  the  Idea  of  a  more 
thorough  &  substantial  enjoyment  arising  from  a 
knowledge  of  its  inestimable  value  than  ever  we 
have  yet  experienced  —  This  must  be  under  the 
superintending  Influence  of  our  kind  &  gracious 
God  whose  will  in  all  things  I  humbly  hope  & 
pray  may  ever  be  our  will  —  I  am  tired  with  the 
labours  of  the  day  —  Tho'  the  Sabbath,  I  have 
been  writing  almost  all  day  —  Alas !  a  state  of 
War  is  not  calculated  for  either  world  —  I  really 
feel  why  &  how  a  state  of  Happiness  should  be  a 
state  of  Peace  —  The  angels  at  the  Incarnation 
of  our  Saviour  seem  to  have  been  grieved  with 
the  Wars  among  mankind  when  they  sang  Glory 
to  God  in  the  highest :  Peace  Good  Will  to  Man 
on  Earth  —  I  am  more  &  more  surprised  how 
any  man  living  can  delight  in  War  &  especially 
think  of  making  a  trade  of  it  — 

Genl  Washington  and  the  general  officers  re- 
monstrate ag't  my  giving  up  my  office,  yet  all 
want  me  to  go  to  Congress  while  they  confess  I 
cannot  do  both  —  I  wish  to  see  my  dearest  Friend 
on  the  subject  —  My  kindest  love  to  Susan,  my 
niece.  Sister  &  family  not  forgetting  my  neighbors 
Ever  my  dear  Wife  with  ardent  &  increasing  love 
Your  AfP  Husband 

BOUDINOT 

I  am  obliged  to  send  my  horses  17  miles  out  of 


no  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

Camp  with  W""  in  order  to  keep  them  from  starv- 
ing &  I  am  four  miles  from  headquarters  without 
a  servant. 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Camp  March  27th  1778. 

My  beloved  Wife 

I  have  this  moment  returned  from  a  consulta- 
tion with  my  fellow  commissioners  &  am  made 
extremely  happy  by  the  receipt  of  your  very  kind 
tender  &  affectionate  Letters  by  the  Express  & 
altho'  it  is  late  &  I  am  wearied  with  writing  yet  I 
cannot  help  indulging  myself  with  a  scrawl  to  my 
beloved  &  amiable  Wife,  thanking  her  in  the  sin- 
cerity of  my  heart  for  those  soft  expressions  of 
Love  &  tenderness  which  could  only  be  dictated 
by  affection  &  esteem  —  That  the  dear  object  of 
my  most  passionate  and  fond  desires  should  en- 
tertain &  cherish  sentiments  so  flattering  to  my 
vanity,  is  full  as  much  as  I  have  a  right  to  expect 
&  must  yield  a  degree  of  Pleasure  &  gratification 
to  be  exceeded  only  by  a  personal  enjoyment  of 
what  you  know  I  prize  as  the  chief  of  my  earthly 
Happiness  —  May  all  the  blessings  &  comforts  of 
the  W^orld  &  the  world  to  come  which  you  wish 
for  me  be  showered  down  in  a  double  portion  on 
my  sweetest  Wife  &  beloved  daughter —  I  expect 
to  set  off  for  Germantown  on  Tuesday  Morning 
on  the  Business  of  our  Commission  —  It  is  not 
very  pleasing  as  it  is  one  of  those  Employments 
that  tho'  we  act  upright  as  angels  yet  we  are  sure 


FRENCH    MERCHANTMEN.  Ill 

of  not  pleasing  any  one.  The  expectations  & 
desires  of  mankind  which  regulate  those  expec- 
tations so  far  exceed  the  true  mark,  that  we  know 
that  if  we  act  justly  we  shall  meet  the  disapproba- 
tion of  those  who  judge  from  so  unreasonable 
a  rule  —  In  this  business  we  shall  endeavor  to 
please  ourselves  by  acting  faithfully  &  uprightly 
&  to  please  our  general  by  convincing  him  of  the 
Principles  on  which  we  act  &  leave  all  others  to 
find  fault,  as  they  please,  laying  it  to  our  account, 
that  if  we  come  off  without  losing  our  reputation 
altogether  we  do  better  &  shall  be  more  favoured 
than  many  who  have  gone  before  us. 

My  dear  Susan's  excuses  are  rather  those  of 
negligence  &  want  of  inclination  than  those  of 
necessity.  Did  she  set  apart  one  day  in  the  w^eek 
to  favour  her  Papa  with  a  letter,  however  short,  I 
do  not  think  it  would  be  a  great  sacrifice,  seeing 
she  is  interested  in  the  event,  but  you  know  the 
old  proverb  "  Out  of  sight  out  of  mind"  —  Kiss 
her  for  me  and  give  my  kind  love  to  the  family  — 
Sister  &  friends  &  neighbours  —  We  have  intelli- 
gence in  Camp  that  there  are  a  great  number  of 
French  vessels  (Merchantmen)  under  convoy  of  a 
50  gun  ship  arrived  at  the  Carolinas  That  our 
Vessels  are  admitted  to  formal  entries  at  the  Cus- 
tom house  in  Martinique  and  pay  the  usual  Duty 

—  That  this  has  been  the  occasion  of  a  remon- 
strance from  the  Gov  of  Antigua  but  to  no  effect 

—  And  now  my  dearest  &  most  beloved  of  Wo- 
men I  must  with  all  the  tenderness  &  affection  of 


112  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

the  most  loving  Husband,  wish  you  a  good  night 
with  the  addition  of  every  Happiness  your  nature 
is  capable  of  in  this  Vale  of  Tears  &  disappoint- 
ments and  after  they  are  vanished  away  like  the 
baseless  Fabrick  of  a  nocturnal  vision  leaving  not 
a  mark  behind  may  you  find  yourself  in  the  full 
fruition  of  all  the  Joys  &  Raptures  of  the  most 
adoring  Seraph  of  the  heavenly  World  —  I  do 
no  more  than  copy  the  real  lineaments  of  my 
fond  Heart  when  I  again  &  again  assure  you  with 
fresh  &  repeated  assurances  of  esteem  how  much 
I  am,  thou  dear  Partner  of  all  my  Hopes  Joys  & 
Expectations 

The  most  tender  &  affectionate 

of  Husbands 

BOUDINOT 

PS  I  hope  to  see  you  before  I  take  any  con- 
clusive measure  whatever  as  to  my  future  conduct 
I  reed  the  papers  &  they  contained  what  I  wanted 
—  Lady  Sterling  Lady  Kitty  &  Miss  Brown  are 
well  Mrs  Washington  often  asks  after  you,  she 
has  given  me  the  cotton  seed.^ 

ELIAS  BOUDINOT  TO  MAJOR  GENERAL  GATES. 

Camp  April  4  "  1778. 

Dear  Sir 

Having  sent  orders  to  Mr  Peters  for  the  im- 
mediate sending  forward  all  the  Officers  detained 
at  Hanover,  as  well  as  those  at  York  Town,  I 
think  it  necessary  to  inform  you  that  General  Lee 
is  permitted  to  come  to  Camp  and  I  have  entered 

1  Family  letters. 


EXCHANGES.  I  I  3 

into  the  Exchange  of  Colonel  Allen  for  Colonel 
Campbell. 

I  hope  you  have  received  my  last  Letter 
of         the  March 

Am  in  haste 
Dr  Sir 
Your  very  obedt  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot 
Com.  Genl  of  Pris°. 

To  HoN"L  Major  Genl  Gates, 
President  of  the  Board  of  War 

(Endorsed) 
Letter  from  Mr.  Boudinot 
C.  G.  of  Prisoners, 
dated  4  "April  1778.1 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MRS.  BOUDINOT. 

Camp  April  17th  1778 

My  beloved  Wife 

Till  lately  I  have  always  valued  the  privilege  of 
writing  to  the  dear  Partner  of  all  my  Joys  &  Sor- 
rows, as  one  of  the  highest  earthly  Felicities,  but 
alas !  I  begin  to  find  that  even  this  blessing  comes 
far  short  of  my  unsatisfied  desires  —  My  anxious 
Heart  is  looking  &  longing  for  the  happy  interview 
which  I  hope  through  the  divine  goodness  draws 
nearer  &  nearer  —  I  have  my  business  in  such  a 
state  that  I  have  some  glimmering  prospect  of 
finishing  next  week.  I  should  have  hastened  my 
departure  but  I  am  obliged  to  wait  the  return  of 
a  Messenger  from  York  Town  who  sets  off  to- 
morrow morning  — 

1  Washington  Letters,  No.  78,  vol.  ii.  B,  p.  455,  MSS.,  Department  of 
State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


114  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

I  hope  that  my  invaluable  Wife  &  beloved 
Family  enjoy  all  that  Health  that  my  fond  Heart 
wishes  for  them  ;  This  indeed  will  be  an  addition 
to  my  happiness,  for  which  I  never  shall  be  too 
thankful  —  I  long  to  see  you,  I  have  a  thousand 
things  to  say  to  you  that  consist  of  all  composi- 
tions—  the  loving,  tender,  sweet,  soft  &  endearing 
as  well  as  of  News  Politicks,  Business,  Curiosity  &c 
&c  &:c  —  I  know  you  will  laugh  at  me,  as  an  old 
fashioned  fellow  with  a  bald  Pate  &  gray  head 
but  I  can't  help  it  —  Apropos — I  have  been  so 
long  with  the  gay,  accomplished,  proud  English- 
man, that  I  ought  to  be  a  foot  higher  than  I  used 
to  be,  therefore  prepare  yourself  accordingly  — 
If  you  knew  how  late  it  was  and  how  much  writ- 
ing I  have  done  today  you  would  reprove  me  for 
spending  your  &  my  time  in  reading  and  writing 
so  much  nonsense,  especially  to  one  whose  Judg- 
ment &  Taste  I  have  not  the  meanest  opinion  of 

—  I  know  not  how  it  comes  to  pass  but  so  it  is, 
that  I  have  lately  increased  my  old  habit  of  palm- 
ing off  my  old  fashioned  Wife  every  where  I  go, 
as  a  pattern  worthy  of  general  Imitation  &  an  Ex- 
ample to  direct  my  Friends  to  conjugal  Happiness 

—  You  know  as  men  grow  old  they  often  fall  into 
strange  whims  —  My  daughter  too,  is  not  always 
forgotten  but  it  is  best  not  to  raise  her  vanity  too 
much,  therefore  the  least  said  is  soonest  mended 

—  I  should  write  to  Susan  late  as  it  is  but  I  am 
afraid  that  it  might  be  disgusting,  so  soon  after 
the  receipt  of  her  letter,  as  I  find  it  possible  she 


HIS    DAUGHTER.  II5 

meant  the  long  delay  in  writing  to  her  Papa  as 
a  gentle  hint,  and  you  know  I  am  good  at  a 
hint  sometimes,  especially  if  it  is  a  broad  one  — 
My  kind  love  to  all  as  if  named  —  Kiss  my  dear 
Susan  —  Mrs.  Washington  often  speaks  of  you, 
always  asks  after  you  and  wishes  you  with  her  — 
She  is  almost  a  mope  for  want  of  a  female  com- 
panion ;  I  wish  you  could  have  spent  a  week  or 
two  with  her  this  Winter  —  I  enclose  you  a  grand 
piece  of  news  just  arrived  at  Head  Quarters. 
Providence  always  interferes  in  the  gloomy  Hour 
—  Let  Mr.  L  see  it 

Am  with  unalterable  Affection 

Your  sincere  &  tender  husband 

BoUDINOT. 

This  only  daughter,  whom  he  calls  his  "  one 
ewe  Lamb,"  was  cast  herself,  in  somewhat  heroic 
mould,  though  inheriting  her  father's  benevolence 
and  sweet  nature.  When  a  little  girl,  on  a  visit 
to-  her  aunt  in  Jersey,  the  house  was  levied  upon 
by  a  party  of  British.  She  expostulated  with  the 
officer,  reminding  him  that  her  aunt  had  asked 
protection.  "Not  by  your  advice.  Miss,  I  pre- 
sume," he  said.     "  That  it  never  was,"  she  replied. 

On  April  20  he  writes  a  hasty  line  to  his  wife 
as  an  opportunity  offers. 

"  I  am  getting  my  affairs  in  order  to  set  off  on 
Friday  or  Saturday  altho'  I  am  afraid  the  Gen^ 
will  object,  as  I  plainly  see  it  will  greatly  embar- 
rass him  and  worthy  Man  he  has  both  Hands  & 


Il6  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

Heart  full  —  The  Enemy  are  trying  what  they 
can  do  by  throwing  out  proposals  of  Peace  — 
God  grant  that  we  may  be  firm  as  it  will  be  a 
Time  of  Tryal  &  they  mean  to  effect  delay  —  "^ 

MR.    JOSHUA    LORING    TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

Phil*  22^  April  1778 

Sir 

His  Excellency  Sir  W*"  Howe  has  been  pleased 
to  approve  of  the  proposal  that  two  officers  be 
appointed  on  each  side  to  determine  the  dispute 
respecting  the  1821  Privates  sent  home  last  Win- 
ter and  that  they  should  meet  at  German  Town 
for  that  purpose  as  soon  as  you  please,  and  if 
agreeable  to  you,  I  will  meet  you  there  at  some 
time,  this  being  settled  I  hope  all  our  business 
will  go  on  more  smoothly  in  future  &  that  the 
captives  on  each  side  may  soon  be  released  from 
their  confinement  —  As  I  find  it  much  more 
agreeable  to  Sir  W""  Howe  that  CoP  Campbell 
should  come  into  Phil''  beg  he  may  be  sent  in  as 
soon  as  possible,  upon  which  I  will  immediately 
send  you  another  order  for  the  Exchange  at  York 
&  to  be  final  in  that  case 

Excuse  haste  as  Flag  waits 

I  am  Sir  your  most  Obd^  Humble 

Jos'"  LoRlNG 


Com  Gen^  Pris"^ 


To  Elias  Boudinot  Esqr 
Commissi  Gen^  American  Prisrs 
At  Gen'  Washington's  Headquarters. 


Family  letters.  2  Family  papers. 


CHANGE    OF   MINISTRY.  II7 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Camp  April  22d  1778 

My  dearest  Love 

Permit  me  once  more  to  trouble  you  with  a 
scrawl  before  I  see  you  —  Am  just  returned  from 
the  Lines  &  am  now  preparing  the  way  for  home 
—  I  write  this  by  opportunity  to  have  the  Plea- 
sure of  enclosing  a  News  Paper  containing  great 
News,  as  well  as  to  enjoy  a  Pleasure  of  a  more 
refined  kind,  that  of  mentioning  the  Name  of  a 
beloved  &  highly  valued  Wife 

The  News  from  England  is,  that  every  thing 
there,  is  in  the  utmost  confusion  —  Gen^  Wash- 
ington our  worthy  Commander  in  Chief  has  been 
carried  in  Procession  through  the  streets  of  Lon- 
don—  I  mean  his  Effigy,  and  who  ever  did  not 
illuminate  their  windows  were  punished  by  hav- 
ing them  broken  by  the  mob  —  Lord  Chatham  is 
in  the  Ministry,  Commissioners  are  coming  over 
to  treat  with  Congress  Temple  Lutterel  in  his 
speech  says,  "  It  is  said  the  Americans  have 
neither  shoes  nor  stockings,  this  may  be  true  but 
we  find  that  they  have  Souls"  —  Gen^  Howe  is  re- 
called &  Clinton  takes  the  command  —  the  news 
as  to  the  particulars  may  be  read  to  Mr  Living- 
ston &  a  special  Friend,  but  is  not  at  present  to 
be  made  too  publick  for  particular  reasons  — 

May  the  blessing  of  the  God  of  Peace  rest  on 
you  &  my  dear  Family  who  I  long  to  see 

Am  with  the  sincerest  Affection  &  esteem  to 


Il8  ,  •      ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

the  best  &  most  beloved  of  Women  a  tender  & 
faithful  Husband 

BOUDINOT  ^ 

Love  &  a  kiss  to  Susan. 

The  Tories  &  New  Levies  in  Philadelphia  damn 
King  Parliament  &  Howe  &  say  they  are  left  in 
the  lurch  — 

Mrs.  BouDiNOT  — 

Having  arrived  at  home,  Baskingridge,  May  13, 
1778,  he  writes  to  General  Washington:  — 

D^  Sir 

On  My  arrival  at  Morris  Town,  I  found  Lt 
Coll.  Campbell,  who  proposed  my  going  with  him 
to  New  York,  as  he  thought  he  could  aid  me 
greatly  in  farthering  some  immediate  relief  to  our 
suffering  Prisoners.  By  Coll.  Allen  I  rec^  Gen^ 
Clinton's  permission  to  attend  Coll.  Campbell  and 
then  proceeded  to  New  York — I  found  Major 
Gen^  Daniel  Jones  in  the  Command  &  Gen^  Val- 
entine Jones  Commandant  of  the  City  —  Both 
these  Gentlemen  appear  determined  to  give  every 
relief  to  Prisoners  that  is  in  their  Power —  They 
treated  me  with  uncommon  Civility  &  granted  me 
every  thing  I  Asked  —  The  Exchange  I  took 
with  Me  was  compleatly  carried  with  Execution, 
with  the  addition  of  twenty-five  Officers  &  about 
Twenty  Privates  being  for  the  Servants  of  Gen^ 
Burgoyne,  Coll.  Campbell  &  others  — 

Gen'  Jones  has  given  me  the  strongest  assur- 
ances that  our  officers  &  Privates  shall  not  have 

1  Family  letters. 


LETTER   TO    GENERAL    WASHINGTON.  IIQ 

reason  again  to  Complain  of  unnecessary  Severity ; 
indeed  their  whole  System  appears  to  be  changed 
or  at  least  in  Confusion  —  I  cannot  but  mention 
the  Service  I  rec^  from  Coll.  Campbell,  who  seems 
determined  to  interest  himself  in  Mitigating  the 
rigors  of  Captivity,  which  he  Appears  well  ac- 
quainted with  —  Many  of  our  officers  who  are 
now  Exchanged,  are  at  a  loss  to  know  what  to  do, 
there  being  no  Provision  made  for  them,  and  hav- 
ing left  both  Property  &  friends,  they  are  anxious 
for  any  employment,  in  which  they  may  hope  for 
some  satisfaction  for  the  Multitude  &  severity  of 
their  Sufferings  — 

As  I  am  much  engaged  to  get  my  accounts  in 
proper  order,  I  shall  remain  here,  till  that  is  done, 
unless  I  receive  other  orders  from  your  Excel- 
lency, which  I  beg  to  be  favoured  with,  if  you 
think  my  immediate  Presence  necessary  at  Camp 
—  If  a  Successor  to  my  department  has  been 
Nominated,  I  should  be  much  obliged  by  the  In- 
formation — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  the  greatest  regard 
and  esteem 

Your  Excellency's 
Most  Obed^  &  Most  Hble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot 
Com.  Gen^  of  Pris'^ 

His  Exceli-ency  Gen'-  Washington. 
(Endorsed) 
From  Elias  Boudinot  Esq. 

May  13th  J?) 

Answered  23d  &c. 

^  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to  Wash- 
ington, vol.  xxiii.  p.  135. 


I20  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 


GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

Head  Qu"^  May  23^  1778. 

Dear  Sir 

I  was  duly  favoured  wnth  yours  of  the  13th.  I 
am  happy  to  learn,  that  the  appearances  with  re- 
spect to  the  future  treatment  of  our  prisoners  are 
now  so  favourable.  It  is  much  to  be  wished,  the 
disposition  which  at  present  appears  may  be  per- 
severed in  ;  though  unluckily  for  the  credit  of  their 
humanity,  it  is  too  evident  the  change  which  has 
taken  place,  is  to  be  ascribed  more  to  the  series  of 
successful  events  which  have  lately  happened  in 
our  Affairs,  than  to  any  desire  to  relieve  the  suf- 
ferings of  Captivity. 

By  a  Resolve  of  Congress  of  the  21st,  in  con- 
sequence of  a  late  proposal  from  General  Howe, 
a  general  Exchange  of  prisoners  is  to  be  carried 
into  execution  ;  This  renders  your  immediate  pres- 
ence at  Camp  necessary  which  I  therefore  request. 

Col.  Francis  Johnson  has  been  nominated  to 
succeed  you  in  your  Department,  but  he  has  not 
yet  accepted  the  appointment.  In  any  case,  your 
presence  and  assistance  are  indispensable  as  your 
successor  could  not  be  at  once  sufficiently  ac- 
quainted with  the  State  of  the  Department  to  ex- 
ecute with  propriety  a  Matter  of  such  extent  and 
importance,  as  that  which  now  calls  for  your 
attention ;  and  indeed  you  ought  to  be  some  time 
with  him  to  communicate  the  necessary  informa- 
tion concerning  it,  and  put  him  in  a  train.     You 


LETTER    FROM    GENERAL   WASHINGTON.        121 

will  bring  all  your  papers  with  you,  for  this  pur- 
pose. 

I  am  with  great  regard,  Dear  Sir, 

Your  Most  obed^  Serv* 
elias  boudinot  Esqr  G.  Washington.^ 

C.  G.  Prisoners 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

Head  Qu^'  Valley  Forge,  2^  June  1778. 

Dear  Sir 

I  inclose  you  a  copy  of  a  letter  of  the  23^  ult° 
forwarded  by  express,  to  which  I  have  received  no 
Answer. 

Cd""  Johnston  refusing  the  appointment.  Con- 
gress have  since  nominated  as  Commissary  of 
prisoners  Major  Beatty.  I  have  forwarded  him 
their  resolve,  and  desired  his  immediate  attend- 
ance at  Head  Quarters. 

I  must  again  urge  the  great  necessity  of  your 
hastening  here  with  all  possible  dispatch.  The 
prospect  of  the  enemy's  moving  (and)  the  present 
circumstances  and  situation  of  the  prisoners  in 
Philadelphia  make  your  presence  at  this  time  ab- 
solutely necessary.  If  their  liberty  is  to  be 
affected  by  exchange  or  parole,  it  will  be  easier, 
in  all  probability,  to  accomplish  it  where  they  now 
are  than  where  they  may  be  removed  to. 

I  am  &" 

Eltas  Boudinot  Esqr  G.  WASHINGTON.^ 

C.  G.  Prisoners 

1  The  Washington  papers,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C., 
transcript  B,  vol.  v.  p.  338. 

2  The  Washington  papers,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C, 
transcript  B,  vol.  v.  p.  366. 

UNIVERSITY"  - 


122  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

COMMISSARY    LORING   TO    COLONEL    HAMILTON. 

Phil*  June  5*^  1778 

Sir 

Upon  my  Report  to  His  Excellency  Sir  Henry 
Clinton  of  our  meeting  yesterday  at  the  Sorrel 
Horse  for  the  Purpose  of  settling  an  exchange  of 
Prisoners  — 

I  am  directed  to  acquaint  you  that  all  our  Pris- 
oners in  Philadelphia  agreable  to  the  enclosed 
Return,  shall  be  sent  out  on  the  12^''  Ins^  under  a 
proper  Escort  to  the  two  miles  stone  on  the  Lan- 
caster Road  over  Schuylkill,  provided  you  agree 
to  meet  us  There  on  that  day  with  the  like  num- 
ber of  British  Prisoners  of  equal  Rank  to  be  then 
&  there  exchanged  for  the  same  and  you  will  be 
so  good  as  to  fix  the  hour 

I  am  Sir  your  most  obedient 

Humble  Servant 

Jos^  LoRING 
Commissi  Gen'  Prisoners  ^ 

Col.  Hamilton 
Endorsed  by  E  B  — 
Joshua  Loring  Esq^ 
June  s'""  1778 

Enclosing  gen^  Release. 

Having  returned  from  the  visit  to  his  family  at 
Baskinridge,  and  transacted  the  business  alluded 
to  in  his  letter  from  there  to  Washington,  dated 
May  13,  in  compliance  with  Washington's  letter 
of  May  23d  from  Valley  Forge,  he  is  again  in 
camp,  at  or  near  headquarters,  from  whence  he 

1  Family  papers. 


AT    GERMANTOWN.  I  23 

sends  a  hasty  line  to  his  wife,  to  say  that  he  has 
arrived  there  safely  at  noon  on  Friday.  "  In  half 
an  hour  was  ordered  to  repair  to  Germantown, 
from  whence  I  am  just  returned  &  am  again 
ordered  there  tomorrow  morning  so  that  I  have 
little  rest  for  the  sole  of  my  foot — The  Commis- 
sioners are  arrived  at  Philadelphia  with  Lord 
Cornwallis  which  will  protract  their  departure^ 
Everything  is  on  Board  at  Philadelphia  —  " 


CHAPTER  VII. 

June,  1778,  appointed  to  meet  General  Robertson,  British  commissioner 
for  exchange  of  Hessian  prisoners.  —  Conversation  with  General  Rob- 
ertson regarding  peace.  —  Offer  of  dukedom  to  ten  thousand  sterling.  — 
Emoluments  held  out  to  Joseph  Reed.  —  Letter  to  Mrs.  Boudinot,  June 
10.  —  Arrival  of  French  fleet  with  French  ambassador  and  Silas  Deane. 

—  English  frigate  taken.  —  War  declared  in  England  against  France.  — 
June  II,  return  from  second  jaunt  to  Germantown.  —  Enemy  to  evacu- 
ate Philadelphia.  —  Surmise  as  to  their  further  movements.  —  English 
commissioner  to  Congress.  —  Condition  of  inhabitants,  of  city  hospi- 
tal stores.  —  Should  go  into  the  city,  then  set  off  for  Yorktown.  — 
Ribbon  for  his  hair.  —  Snuff  box  with  Washington's  head  in  relief.  — 
Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Freidrell  regarding  exchange  of  prisoners.  — 
To  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Expecting  enemy  to  leave  the  city  every  moment. 

—  Marquis  La  Fayette  and  Baron  Steuben  have  letters  from  France.  — 
France  receives  American  ambassadors.  —  English  take  American 
vessel  on  French  coast.  —  Demanded  by  France.  —  Action  of  king  on 
refusal.  —  European  combats.  —  Commissary  Loring  to  Mr.  Boudinot. 

—  Note  on  his  letter.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington.  —  Re- 
ports marching  of  British  army.  —  Violation  of  agreement  as  to  ex- 
change of  prisoners.  —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot  from  Philadelphia.  —  En- 
emy gone  off.  —  General  Robinson's  promise  to  protect  Mr.  Stock- 
ton's and  Mrs.  Noel's  homes.  — To  General  Washington,  June  20,  11 
o'clock.  —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Anxiety  for  her,  being  in  the  route  of 
the  army. 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes  :  — 

"  About  the  month  of  May  or  beginning  of 
June/  in  the  spring  of  1778,  I  was  appointed  by 
General  Washington  to  meet  a  commissioner,  on 
the  part  of  the  British  at  Germantown  to  ex- 
change the  Hessian  prisoners  in  our  custody.  On 
my  arrival  I  found  the  British  Commissioner  was 

1  As  shown  by  his  letters  it  was  June. 


ANOTHER    BRIBE.  I  25 

the  same  General  Robertson  who  had  brought  out 
a  gent,  with  him,  who  had  been  an  acquaintance  of 
mine,  a  very  sensible,  prudent,  genteel  man.  After 
doing  our.  business  and  dining  together — This 
gent""  asked  me  if  I  would  walk  in  the  garden 
with  him.  I  readily  agreed.  When  there,  he  asked 
me  if  I  had  any  objection  to  a  confidential  polit- 
ical conversation.  I  said,  I  could  have  none.  He 
told  me  that  the  British  exceedingly  regretted  our 
unhappy  dispute.  That  they  were  convinced,  it 
could  end  in  no  substantial  good  to  either  party 
—  that  they  were  now  convinced  of  the  propriety 
of  healing  the  breach  — -.  That  if  any  person 
would  undertake  to  setde  the  unhappy  dispute, 
he  was  authorized  to  promise  them  anything  he 
would  ask  from  a  Dukedom  to  ten  thousand  ster- 
ling per  annum.  To  this  I  replied  as  before  to 
General  Robertson,  that  offers  of  that  kind  could 
have  no  effect  on  men  who  were  acting  from 
Principle.  That  America  wanted  peace  &  quiet- 
ness. That  the  British  had  invaded  us,  and  it 
was  on  her  part  to  say  what  she  wanted.  He  said 
he  came  authorized  in  the  fullest  manner,  to  offer 
a  carte  blanche,  it  should  be  signed  by  a  proper 
authority,  and  I  might  fill  it  up  myself.  I  told 
him  that  I  was  too  well  acquainted  with  the  Brit- 
ish Gov^  &  the  nature  of  the  dispute,  not  to  know 
that  such  an  offer  was  merely  delusive,  &  that  it 
could  only  tend  to  deceive,  for  they  never  designed 
nor  could  do  any  such  thing.  —  He  in  the  most 
positive  terms  assured  me  that  it  was  all  real  and 


126  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

nothing  could  give  more  pleasure  to  the  Govt 
than  to  have  it  agreed  to.  I  answered  that  I  did 
not  doubt  his  honesty  in  the  business,  but  well 
knew  that  he  was  imposed  upon.  He  however 
insisted  so  strenuously  on  the  rectitude  of  their 
intentions  that  he  would  venture  his  life  upon 
their  agreeing  to  any  terms  that  I  would  dictate. 
In  reply  I  said  I  would  try  him  &  thereby  bring 
the  matter  to  the  test.  That  I  would  fill  up  his 
carte  blanche  with  only  one  term  '  that  we  should 
be  allowed  one  single  free  bottom  to  every  part  of 
the  world.'  His  countenance  fell  and  with  much 
apparent  distress  said,  Sir,  you  are  right  it  is  im- 
possible. Well,  Sir,  said  I,  it  is  not  all  the  power 
of  Great  Britain  and  all  that  she  is  worth,  will 
ever  bring  America  to  submit  without  having  a 
free  Trade  to  every  part  of  the  world,  with  as 
many  ships  as  she  can  command,  and  therefore 
the  project  is  vain.  He  acknowledged  his  error, 
begged  my  pardon  for  the  trouble  he  had  given 
me  and  the  freedom  he  had  used,  and  we  returned 
into  the  house. 

"  After  some  little  time,  General  Robertson 
came  to  me  and  cursorily  asked  me  who  I  thought 
would  be  governor  of  Pennsylvania — I  told  him 
it  lay  between  Mr.  Robert  Morris  &  Mr.  Joseph 
Reed.  That  one  of  them  would  be  chosen,  but 
which  I  knew  not.     We  then  soon  parted."  ^ 

Irving  in  his  "  Life  of  Washington  "  tells  of  a 

1  MSS.  Reminiscences  of  E lias  Boiidinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter 
Brown. 


ARRIVAL    OF    FRENCH    AMBASSADOR.  1 27 

similar  attempt  on  the  part  of  the  English  com- 
missioners in  June,  1778,  to  bribe  Mr.  Joseph 
Reed,  then  a  member  of  Congress,  and  of  his 
"  brief  and  memorable  reply  "  —  "I  am  not  worth 
such  purchasing,  but  such  as  I  am  the  King  of 
Great  Britain  is  not  rich  enough  to  do  it."  Mr. 
Boudinot,  it  will  be  observed,  had  led  the  way  in 
such  sturdy  rejoinders,  regarding  as  lightly  the 
dukedom  and  ten  thousand  sterling  per  annum, 
as  did  his  friend  Joseph  Reed  the  "  honors  and 
emoluments  "  held  out  to  him.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia,  June  the  lo*'' 

My  DEAREST  Love 

Ever  willing  to  please  &  gratify  you  I  take  this 
opportunity  to  give  you  the  earliest  Intelligence 
that  the  French  Fleet  has  arrived  off  the  Capes 
of  Delaware  having  on  board  the  French  Ambas- 
sador &  M''  Silas  Deane.  The  Admiral  is  on 
board  a  90  gun  ship  &  the  Fleet  consists  of  80  & 
54  guns  with  several  Frigates  —  Pilots  are  sent  on 
board  &  expect  they  will  push  along  the  coast 
towards  New  York  —  They  have  taken  an  Eng- 
lish 36  Gun  Frigate.  War  was  declared  ag^ 
France  in  England  on  the  19^^  May  so  that  at 
last  the  dye  is  cast  —  The  Indians  continue  to 
waste  the  Frontiers  &  I  am  afraid  it  will  be  some 
time  before  their  progress  will  be  stopped  — 

My  kind  love  to  Sister  &  the  Family — Kiss 

^  See  MSS.  Life  of  Washington,  vol,  iii.  p.  413. 


128  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

my  dear  Siisan  —  Not  a  word  from  home  since  I 
left  —  I  find  that  I  shall  be  obliged  to  purchase 
you  some  letters  &  send  them  from  hence  —  The 
weather  is  so  hot  that  I  can  do  little  else  but  waste 
the  time  away. 

If  you  have  an  opportunity  let  Elisha  know  the 
news  as  I  dare  say  it  will  set  him  a  Tip  Toe.  If 
the  English  Fleet  should  arrive  soon  also  there 
would  be  warm  w^ork  —  I  hope  you  got  my  letter 
of  Days  past. 

Am  my  dearest  Love  with  all  the  warmth  of 
affection  you  can  wish  or  desire 

your  loving  &  faithful 

BOUDINOT 

The  fleet  consists  of  1 2000  seamen 

Mrs  BouDiNOT  1 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Camp  June  ii"'  1778 

My  dearest  Love 

Am  just  returned  from  my  second  Jaunt  to 
Germantown,  where  I  have  been  happy  enough 
to  settle  a  general  exchange  of  Prisoners,  altho'  it 
was  thought  to  be  again  at  an  end  —  The  enemy 
are  all  ready  to  evacuate  Philadelphia  and  would 
have  done  it  several  days  ago  had  it  not  been  for 
the  arrival  of  the  commissioners  —  I  am  more  set- 
tled in  my  opinion  that  they  never  had  a  design 
of  going  thro'  the  Jerseys,  altho'  the  general  opin- 
ion here  is,  that  it  is  still  their  design  —  If  I 
can  judge  of  their  Intentions  (which  indeed  are 

1  Family  letters. 


ARRIVAL    OF    COMMISSIONERS.  1 29 

kept  entirely  within  the  Breast  of  Sir  Henry 
Clinton)  they  mean  either  to  land  suddenly  at 
Chester  or  Marcus  Hook  and  make  a  violent 
attack  on  our  Camp,  after  they  have  prevailed  on 
Gen^  Washington  to  detach  as  many  as  possible 
to  secure  Philadelphia  &c  or  they  are  bound  for 
the  West  Indies,  which  is  rather  unlikely  —  A 
Flag  has  announced  the  arrival  of  the  Commission- 
ers who  sent  for  permission  for  the  Secretary  to 
wait  on  Congress.  They  rec^  for  answer  that  an 
Express  should  be  sent  to  Congress  to  know  their 
Pleasure  — 

The  Inhabitants  of  the  City  are  in  the  utmost 
distress  &  confusion  —  Those  who  go  off  are  all 
embarked  &  on  board  of  ships  at  Reddy  Island, 
men,  women  &  children  eating  up  their  sea  Stores 
&  know  not  when  they  are  to  sail.  Those  that 
remain  behind  are  in  Terror  &  apprehension  of 
every  Insult  &  Abuse  —  The  General  has  for- 
bidden any  of  the  army  from  entering  the  City 
but  one  Regiment  appointed  for  that  Purpose. 

The  want  of  an  act  of  Indemnity  has  forced 
away  several  hundred  of  valuable  Tradesmen  & 
manufacturers  who  are  cast  upon  the  mercy  of 
the  British  Army  &  scarcely  know  where  to  get  a 
meal  of  victuals  —  They  execrate  our  barbarous 
severity  in  the  bitterest  &  most  poignant  terms 
of  agony  &  woe  —  I  have  heard  many  little  anec- 
dotes while  at  German  Town  that  I  could  wish 
to  tell  you  but  have  not  time  —  The  commission- 
ers had  like  to  have  been  mobbed  by  the  british 


130  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Light  Infantry  two  nights  ago  —  They  hung  Lord 
North  in  Effigy  with  the  two  acts  of  Parliament 
in  his  Hands.  They  cannot  bear  the  thought  of 
Peace. 

The  Enemy  have  deHvered  up  to  me  lists  of 
the  Hospital  Stores  which  they  are  to  leave  with 
our  sick  at  a  reasonable  valuation  &  I  have  ap- 
pointed a  Surgeon  to  take  charge  of  them. 

I  should  sett  off  for  York  Town  in  a  few  days 
but  want  to  go  into  the  city  first  — 

I  shall  leave  the  office  just  as  I  wished,  quite 
clear  of  American  Prisoners  —  This  is  almost 
beyond  what  I  had  a  reason  to  expect  &  for  which 
I  am  very  thankful 

I  quite  forgot  to  bring  some  black  Ribbon  for 
my  Hair  and  am  badly  off  for  it —  Pray  send  me 
some  at  the  first  opportunity  — 

I  enclose  a  letter  for  your  brother  — 

I  see  an  elegant  snuff  box  brought  over  by  one 
of  the    commissioners   with    Gen^    Washington's 
Head  elegantly  painted  or  rather  raised  on   the 
Lid.     I  have  it  here  &  wish  you  could  see  it  — 
I  am  in  haste 

with  the  utmost  love  &  sincerity 

Your  most  affectionate 

BOUDINOT 

My  kind  love  to  Susan  &  the  Family  at 
Morven^ 

1  Family  letters.     Morven  was  the  country  seat  of  Richard  Stockton, 
where  Mrs.  Boudinot  was  visiting  her  relatives. 


LETTER    ON    EXCHANGES.  I3I 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO   GENERAL    FREIDRELL. 
[Copy.] 
Camp  Valley  Forge  June  13th  1778 

Sir. 

Your  favour  of  the  f^  Ulmo.  is  now  before  me, 
in  answer  to  which,  can  assure  you,  that  as  it  has 
allways  been  our  desire  to  moderate  the  rigors  of 
captivity  in  every  Instance  in  our  Power,  so  we 
are  constantly  willing  to  make  exchanges  either 
partially  or  generally,  as  we  can  prevail  on  your 
Commander  in  Chief  to  agree.  I  have  repeatedly 
offered  to  exchange  every  Prisoner  in  our  Hands, 
but  have  been  hitherto  refused  till  a  few  days 
past,  when  I  have  had  some  hopes  that  there  will 
be  a  general  Exchange  of  all  but  the  Convention 
Prisoners. —  Whenever  you  can  get  the  consent 
of  General  Clinton  or  other  proper  officer  I  am 
ready  to  exchange  your  family  or  any  other  of^- 
cers  you  may  please  to  require. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

with  personal  respect  Sir, 

your  most  Obed.  Hble  Ser""* 
Elias  Boudinot 

Com.  Genl.  of  Pris^ 

Honble  General  Freidrell. 

MR.    boudinot    to    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Camp  June  13th  1778 

My  DEAREST  Love 

Just  sending  off  an  Express  to  Elizabeth  Town  ; 
I  have  ordered  him  to  go  by  the  way  of  Prince- 

1  From  collection  of  Mr.  Charles  Roberts,  Philadelphia. 


132  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

ton  that  I  may  have  the  pleasure  of  writing  you  a 
line. 

We  are  still  in  expectation  of  the  Enemy  leav- 
ing the  City  every  moment —  The  answer  to  the 
commissioners  request  from  Congress  has  just 
gone  to  Head  quarters,  which  I  believe  will  deter- 
mine the  Motions  of  the  Enemy.  I  am  still  per- 
suaded you  will  not  be  troubled  with  them  in  the 
Jerseys  altho'  there  are  different  opinions  — The 
Marquis  La  Fayette  &  Baron  Steuben  have  both 
letters  from  France  of  the  last  of  March  —  France 
has  publicly  received  our  Ambassadors  —  The 
English  have  taken  one  of  our  vessels  on  the 
French  coast  which  has  been  demanded  by  France 
&  refused  —  The  French  King  immediately  served 
on  all  the  English  ships  in  his  ports.  The  King 
of  Prussia  has  entered  Bohemia  with  60000  men 
&  surprised  one  of  the  Emperors  Garrison  —  The 
Turks  &  Russians  are  at  it  pell  mell  —  My 
kind  love  to  Susan  for  whom  I  send  a  kiss  of 
love ;  remember  me  to  your  brother  sister  & 
family^  —  The  Express  waits  &  allows  me  but 
barely  to  repeat  those  warm  assurances  that  you, 
have  received  a  Thousand  &  a  Thousand  Times 
that  I  am  with  the  most  sincere  unfeigned 
Affection  &  Esteem 

My  dearest  Love 

Your  very  faithful 

BoUDINOT^ 

1  Mrs.  Boudinot  was  at  Princeton,  visiting  the  Stockton  family,  at  Mor- 
ven. 

2  Family  letters. 


BREACH    OF    FAITH    AS    TO    PRISONERS.  1 33 

P.  S.  I  hope  to  leave  this  the  latter  end  of 
next  week. 

Mrs.  BouDiNOT 

COMMISSARY   LORING   TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

Phil*  6  oclock 

Wednesday  Morning 

June  i;"",  1778 

Sir 

On  receipt  of  this  be  so  good  as  to  come  down 
near  our  lines  send  in  the  Trumpeter  when  Gen^ 
Robinson  will  come  out  &  meet  you.  I  have  rea- 
sons why  I  would  wish  you  to  be  as  expeditious  as 
possible 

I  am  Sir  your  most  ob*  Humble  Servant 

Jos^  LoRING 
Com.  Gen.  Pris''^ 

N.  B.  being  ordered  to  embark  all  your  Pri- 
vates Pris'^  here  it  will  not  be  in  my  power  to  see 
you  again,  please  to  forward  our  Prisoners  on  to 
Staten  Island 

Y"'  LoRING 

I  beg  my  respects  to  Gen^  Lee  ^ 

Elias  Boudinot  Esq' 

On  the  back  of  this  letter  is  a  note  embodying 
his  reply  to  Loring,  in  which  he  tells  him  that  he 
is  greatly  surprised  at  the  post  scriptum  to  his 
letter  —  "The  embarking  of  the  Privates,  Prison- 
ers of  War,  is  a  direct  breach  of  the  Faith  pledged 
to  me  in  our  agreement "  "  I  am  therefore  sorry 
to  be  under  the  necessity  of  informing  you,  that 
without  further  advice  from  me  after  I  reach  Head 

1  Family  papers. 


134  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

quarters  you  need  not  expect  any  more  of  your 
Prisoners  to  be  sent  forward  (except  the  38  I 
owe  you  which  shall  be  duly  paid )  as  I  shall 
immediately  countermand  the  order  given  to  the 
different  departments  for  their  being  sent  on  & 
shall  return  those  on  the  way  "  —  ^ 

ELIAS    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    GENERAL 
WASHINGTON. 

German  Town  June  i8  1778. 
8  o  Clock  P.  M. 

D^  Sir 

I  am  this  moment  returned  from  the  Point 
opposite  to  Gloucester  —  As  soon  as  the  City 
was  a  little  reconnoitered,  and  prudent  precau- 
tions taken,  I  went  down  with  two  or  three 
chosen  Persons  to  the  Point  from  whence  the 
Enemy  had  just  gone  over  —  We  plainly  dis- 
covered their  rear  &  indeed  the  direction  of  the 
whole  Party  from  the  Dust — Two  Deserters 
came  over  to  us  while  we  were  there,  one  swam 
the  River  —  the  other  came  in  a  Canoe  —  From 
the  whole,  I  think  your  Excellency  may  depend 
on  the  following  facts  —  That  the  main  Body 
passed  over  at  Coopers  ferry — The  flying  Army 
as  it  is  called  passed  to  Gloucester  to  serve  as  a 
Covering  Party  —  This  last  Body  halted  about 
two  or  three  Hours  at  Gloucester,  burned  their 
scows  dressed  two  Days  Provision  and  marched 
towards  Haddonfield  about  three  or  four  oClock, 
where  it  is  said  they  are  to  join  the  Main  Army 

1  Family  letters. 


MOVEMENTS    OF    THE    BRITISH.  1 35 

this  Evening  —  One  thing  only  puzzled  me,  it 
was  clearly  discernible  that  the  last  of  the  Main 
Body,  who  were  in  sight  when  we  entered  the 
City,  marched  down  from  Cooper's  ferry  along 
the  River,  to  Gloucester  —  The  only  way  I  can 
account  for  this,  is  to  suppose  them  part  of  the 
flying  Army  —  I  asked  the  Deserter  how  it  came 
that  this  flanking  division  marched  to  the  right  of 
the  Main  Body  instead  of  the  left — He  answered 
me  that  it  was  reported  that  Gen^  Wayne  with  his 
Division  had  crossed  from  Wilmington  — 

We  have  sent  off  two  or  three  proper  persons 
in  their  rear  — 

A  light  Horseman  came  in  with  your  Excel- 
lency's Letter  of  this  date,  but  the  Contents  are 
as  fully  answered  by  the  above,  as  I  am  now 
capable  of;  every  possible  measure  shall  be  taken 
by  me  to  endeavour  to  watch  the  Enemy's  Move- 
ments— 

Notwithstanding  every  endeavour  used  to  the 
Contrary,  they  have  embarked  all  our  Prisoners 
except  a  very  few  —  They  persist  in  taking  the 
officers  with  them,  but  say  they  will  disembark 
the  Privates  in  the  River  when  the  Prisoners 
arrive — I  have  given  for  answer,  that  under  so 
notorious  a  violation  of  a  solemn  Agreement  for 
the  purpose,  I  could  not  say  whether  your  Excel- 
lency would  suffer  another  of  their  Prisoners  to 
be  sent  in  at  any  rate. 


136  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

I  am  Your  Excellency's  Most  obed\  most  Hble 

Serv*. 

Elias  Boudinot/ 

His  Excellency 

Gen"-  Washington. 

(  Endorsed  )  M"  BouDiNOT 

June  18,  1778 
( Addressed  )  To  the  public  Service 
His  Excellency  General  Washington 

Head  Quarters. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

1778 
Philadelphia  June  20*'' 

My  DEAREST  Wife 

An  opportunity  offering  I  have  time  only  to 
acquaint  you  that  the  Enemy  are  gone  quite  off 
—  I  suppose  they  quarter  this  night  in  Mount 
Holly  —  From  the  best  intelligence,  their  left 
column  or  flying  Army  will  pass  through  Prince- 
ton —  I  wish  you  to  go  home  without  delay  —  A 
great  many  Deserters  are  constantly  coming  in 
by  Parties  of  6  &  7  —  Gen^  Robinson  has  pro- 
mised me  to  direct  his  aid  to  quarter  at  M'  Stock- 
tons &  M-"^  Noels  to  protect  &c 

Am  in  the  utmost  haste  being  obliged  to  write 
in  the  coffee  house  amidst  the  confused  noise  of 
multitudes  of  Joyous  Fellows 

My  dearest  love 

Your  sincere  &  affe* 

BOUDINOT  ^ 

P  S     Love  to  all 

M"  BOUDINOT 

1  Letters  to   Washington,  vol.  xxiv.  p.  44,  MSS.  Archives,  Department 
of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 

2  Family  letters. 


TO    THE    COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF.  1 37 

ELIAS    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    GENERAL 
WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia  June  20,  1778  11  "Clock 

Dear  General. 

I  omitted  writing  yesterday,  supposing  that 
your  Excellency  would  have  had  constant  Intelli- 
gence from  the  Gentlemen  of  the  Army,  and  not 
being  able  to  send  any  thing  very  material,  knew 
it  would  be  but  troublesome  — 

Finding  this  Morning  that  I  was  mistaken  in 
the  first,  I  push  the  Bearer  forward  with  the  en- 
closed ace*  of  facts  which  you  may  depend  upon, 
as  they  come  from  a  Person  of  Credit,  w^ho  left 
the  Army  this  Morning  and  was  in  Company 
with  Gen^  Grant. 

Shall  send  off  the  rest  of  the  Horsemen  as  fast 
as  I  can  get  any  Intelligence,  altho'  I  propose 
leaving  this  myself  tomorrow  or  next  day  — 

If  your  Excellency  should  have  any  Commands 
for  me,  shall  esteem  it  an  honor  to  comply  with 
them  as  far  as  is  in  my  Power  —  I  expect  to  be  in 
German  Town  tomorrow  — 

Am  your  Excellency's 

Most  obed*  Hble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot 

P.  S.  I  have  sent  a  deputy  down  the  River 
with  a  flag  to  know  whether  our  Prisoners  are 
released  or  not  — 

His  Excellency  Gen"-  Washington 

(  Endorsed )     From  Elias  Boudinot  Esq' 

June  20*''  1778.1 
1  Letters  to  Washington,  vol.  xxiv.  p.  81,  MSS.  Archives,  Department 
of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


138  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 


MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

MozELLS  Ferry 
June  22"^  1778 

My  Dearest  Love 

Having  come  thus  far  to  take  my  Leave  of  the 
General  &  Family,  I  am  mortified  greatly  to  be 
obliged  to  turn  my  back  on  my  dear  Family  & 
push  on  for  York  Town,  as  I  find  my  Baggage 
all  sent  forward  on  that  Route  and  I  am  under 
the  necessity  of  going  to  Congress  as  speedily  as 
possible  —  I  have  wrote  you  many  Letters  &  two 
particularly  from  Philadelphia  but  have  never  had 
a  single  Line  since  I  left  you  —  The  Enemy  are 
bound  thro'  Princeton  &  Brunswick  I  believe  — 
I  take  it  for  granted  that  our  Army  will  pass 
thro'  Baskinridge  —  if  so  pray  get  some  Gent"  of 
our  acquaintance  to  lodge  in  the  House  —  I  wish 
Elisha  could  be  with  you  — 

May  the  blessing  of  Heaven  be  with  you  &  my 
dear  Susan     Love  to  the  family  sister  &c 
Am  with  unfeigned  affection 

Your  sincere  &  loving 

BOUDINOT  ^ 

I  have  been  near  10  days  in  the  Lines  &  at 
Philadelphia  without  a  change  of  Linen  &  am 
anxious  to  go  in  search  of  my  Baggage  — 

M"  BOUDINOT 

1  Family  letters. 


CHAPTER   VIII. 

Exchange  of  General  Charles  Lee.  —  Taken  at  Baskmgridge.  —  Sent  to 
New  York. —  Requests  a  committee  of  Congress  sent  to  him. — 
Breakfast  with  him  in  New  York.  —  Lee  reads  his  manuscript  to  Mr. 
Boudinot. —  Negotiates  for  Lee's  exchange. —  Sent  to  Philadelphia. — 
Is  there  exchanged.  —  Received  with  military  honors.  —  Dines  with 
Mrs.  Washington  at  headquarters.  —  Passes  the  night  at  headquarters. 

—  Given  command  of  the  right  wing  of  the  army.  —  Goes  to  Congress. 

—  Abuses  Washington. —  Intrigues. —  Disgraceful  conduct  at  Free- 
hold. —  Hamilton's  view  of  Washington,  Greene,  and  Lord  Stirling. 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes  of  the  exchange  of  Major- 
General  Charles  Lee  :  — 

"  In  Dec''  1776  Gen^  Lee  being  taken  Prisoner 
at  his  quarters  at  Baskinridge  in  the  County  of 
Somerset  (New  Jersey)  about  four  miles  to  the 
left  of  his  Troops,  towards  the  Enemy,  by  his 
own  extreme  negligence  &  folly,  was  removed 
(after  the  british  Cantonments  were  beaten  up  at 
Trenton  &  Princeton)  to  New  York  &  confined 
to  a  handsome  House,  under  the  Care  of  4  or  5 
officers,  who  lived  with  him  &  kept  a  genteel 
Table.  In  this  situation  he  sent  to  congress,  re- 
questing a  Committee  of  their  Body,  might  be 
sent  over  to  him,  as  he  had  something  of  conse- 
quence to  communicate  to  them,  and  for  the  pur- 
pose, sent  Gen^  Howe's  safe  Conduct,  for  their 
Security.  This  Congress  very  justly  refused  & 
treated  the  application  with  deserved  Contempt. 
In  January  1778,  I  was  sent  by  Gen^  Washington 


140  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

over  to  New  York  (with  consent  of  Gen^  Howe) 
to  examine  into  the  actual  Situation  of  our  Pris- 
oners, and  had  orders  to  pay  particular  attention 
to  Gen^  Lee,  and  accomplish  his  exchange  if  pos- 
sible. 

"  The  Morning  after  my  Arrival,  I  waited  on 
Gen^  Lee  who  received  me  with  great  pleasure 
indeed,  and  asked  me  to  breakfast  with  him  the 
next  day.  This  I  did  in  Company  with  the  offi- 
cers who  had  the  Care  of  him,  and  was  treated 
with  great  politeness  &  affability.  When  Break- 
fast was  over,  Gen^  Lee  asked  me  up  into  his 
Room.  He  soon  began  to  complain  very  heavily 
of  the  treatment  he  had  rec'^  from  Congress,  in 
not  complying  with  his  request.  I  told  him  that 
I  thought  they  had  done  perfectly  right,  not  to 
trust  any  of  their  members  within  the  British 
Lines,  on  such  an  Errand,  He  replied  that  he 
had  obtained  a  safe  passport  for  them  from  Gen^ 
Howe,  and  they  might  have  come  with  the  utmost 
safety.  I  then  asked  him  what  end  would  have 
been  answered  by  their  coming.  Sir,  said  he,  I 
had  discovered  the  whole  plan  of  the  summer's 
Campaign  on  the  part  of  the  British,  and  would 
have  disclosed  the  whole  to  that  Committee,  by 
which  Congress  might  have  obviated  all  their 
Measures,  for  Mr.  Boudinot  it  is  in  vain  for  Con- 
gress to  expect  to  withstand  british  Troops  in  the 
Field.  I  answered  that  he  must  now  be  con- 
vinced, that  without  his  Information,  they  had 
withstood    and    that   the   Campaign   had   passed 


GENERAL   CHARLES    LEE.  141 

over,  and  the  Enemy  had  gained  no  great  advan- 
tage with  all  their  force  &  strength.  But  (I  con- 
tinued) General  will  you  answer  me  explicitly,  did 
you  inform  General  Howe,  that  this  was  your 
design,  he  answered  by  no  means!  Then  Gen^ 
said  I  do  tell  me  what  reasons  did  you  assign  for 
so  extraordinary  a  measure  as  sending  for  three 
members  of  Congress  to  be  permitted,  to  enter 
a  garrisoned  Town  &  to  confer  with  their  own 
General  a  Prisoner  of  War.  To  this  he  would 
give  me  no  answer.  But  immediately  began  to 
urge  the  Improbability  of  our  Troops  under  such 
an  ignorant  Commander  in  Chief,  ever  withstand- 
ing British  Grenadiers  &  Light  Infantry,  and 
immediately  put  his  hand  into  his  Pockett  & 
pulled  out  a  manuscript  of  2  or  3  sheets,  and 
said  he  charged  it  on  me  to  hearken  to  what  he 
would  read  to  me,  and  as  soon  as  I  returned  to 
Jersey,  that  I  would  repair  to  Congress  &  not 
leave  them  till  I  had  prevailed  upon  them  to  adopt 
his  Plan. 

"  He  then  read  his  manuscript,  which  was  a 
laboured  Argument  to  prove  the  impossibility  of 
making  head  against  the  british  army,  and  that 
therefore  we  should  set  it  down  as  certain,  that  in 
the  next  Campaign,  we  must  be  compleatly  de- 
feated. He  therefore  urged,  that  Congress  would 
immediately  have  a  strong  fortress  built  at  Pitts- 
burgh, and  also  several  hundred  Boats.  That 
they  would  order  all  the  Riches  of  the  Country  to 
be  sent  there,  with  the   old   Men,  Women   and 


142  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Children,  and  that  when  they  found  themselves 
driven  there,  that  Congress  &c  &c  might  take 
Boat  &  go  down  the  Ohio  to  the  Spanish  Terri- 
tory for  protection. 

"  The  whole  of  this  plan  struck  me  in  so  absurd 
a  light,  added  to  the  impropriety  of  reading  such 
a  thing  to  me  who  he  knew  was  on  my  parole  of 
Honor,  within  an  Enemy's  Lines,  (for  altho  it  had 
not  been  formally  required,  yet  I  considered  my- 
self, more  firmly  bound,  if  possible,  than  if  it  had 
been  expressly  given)  that  I  could  not  but  enter- 
tain the  greatest  Jealousy  of  the  Integrity  of 
Gen'  Lee.  I  answered  without  hesitation  that  I 
could  not  take  any  such  Message  to  Congress 
from  him,  or  any  other,  without  the  knowledge  of 
the  british  general.  That  I  thought  he  had  been 
very  wrong  to  attempt  any  such  Communication 
to  me  knowing  my  situation,  and  that  I  should 
consider  myself  as  having  not  heard  it.  That  I 
wondered  at  his  imprudence,  in  keeping  such  a 
Writing  in  his  pockett,  as  the  discovery  of  it  in 
his  Pockett  &  in  his  handwriting  might  cost  him 
his  life.  He  then  waived  the  business  &  I  left 
him. 

"  I  endeavoured  to  negotiate  his  Exchange,  and 
it  was  agreed  (hypothetically)  that  it  should  take 
place  for  Major  General  Prescott,  subject  to  Gen' 
Howe's  approbation.  Gen'  Howe  objected,  and 
ordered  Gen'  Lee  round  by  sea  to  Philadelphia, 
that  he  might  be  exchanged  under-  his  own  eye. 
Gen'   Lee  (abhorring  the  sea)  applied   to   me  by 


OF 


EXCHANGE    OF   GENERAL    LEE.  1 43 

Letter  and  most  earnestly  requested  that  he  might 
be  permitted  to  go  thro  New  Jersey  under  the 
care  of  a  british  officer,  to  which  Gen^  Washington 
consented,  and  he  accordingly  went  to  Philadel- 
phia, but  no  consent  was  obtained  to  the  Ex- 
change. 

"  In  the  spring  of  1778,  a  proposition  was  made 
by  both  parties  for  a  partial  Exchange  of  Prison- 
ers, and  I  was  ordered  to  German  Town  to  meet 
the  british  Commissary  to  attempt  the  business. 
When  I  was  setting  off  from  Camp,  Gen'  Wash- 
ington called  me  into  his  Room  and  in  the  most 
earnest  manner  entreated  of  me,  if  I  wished  to 
gratify  him,  that  I  would  obtain  the  exchange  of 
Gen'  Lee,  for  he  never  was  more  wanted  by  him, 
than  at  the  present  moment,  and  desired  that 
I  would  not  suffer  trifles  to  prevent  it.  I  ac- 
cordingly went,  and  made  a  pretty  considerable 
Exchange  of  Prisoners,  but  quite  new  propo- 
sitions were  made  for  the  Exchange  of  Gen' 
Lee,  which  neither  the  General  or  myself  had 
ever  thought  of.  After  reducing  the  Terms  to 
as  favourable  a  scale  as  I  thought  right,  I  agreed 
to  it,  on  condition,  that  if  General  Washington 
w^as  not  pleased  with  the  new  plan,  and  notice  was 
given  of  his  refusal  within  24  Hours,  the  'Ex- 
change was  to  be  void  without  any  charge  of 
failure  on  my  part. 

"  I  arrived  at  Head  Quarters  about  6  o'clock 
p.  M.  and  going  in  to  the  General  began  to  tell 
him  of  my  success,  when  he  interrupted  me  with 


144  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

much  Eagerness,  and  asked  me  if  I  had  Ex- 
changed Gen^  Lee.  I  informed  him  of  what  had 
been  done  ;  he  replied  sit  down  at  this  Table,  and 
write  a  letter  informing  of  my  Confirmation  of 
the  Exchange  and  send  one  of  my  Horse  guards 
immediately  to  the  Enemies  Lines  with  it.  I 
assured  him  that  next  day  would  be  time  enough, 
but  he  insisted  on  its  being  immediately  done, 
and  I  sent  him  accordingly,  fixing  the  next  day 
but  one  for  Gen^  Lee's  coming  out  to  us. 

"  When  the  day  arrived,  the  greatest  prepara- 
tions were  made  for  his  reception.  All  the  prin- 
cipal Officers  of  the  Army  were  drawn  up  in  two 
lines,  advanced  of  the  Camp  about  2  miles  towards 
the  Enemy.  Then  the  Troops  with  the  inferior 
officers  formed  a  line  quite  to  head  Quarters  —  all 
the  music  of  the  Army  attended.  The  General 
with  a  great  number  of  principal  officers  and 
their  Suites,  rode  about  four  miles  on  the  road 
towards  Philadelphia,  and  waited  till  Gen^  Lee 
appeared.  General  Washington  dismounted  & 
reed.  Gen^  Lee  as  if  he  had  been  his  Brother. 
He  passed  thro  the  Lines  of  officers  &  the  Army, 
who  all  paid  him  the  highest  military  Honors  to 
Head  Quarters,  where  M'^  Washington  was,  and 
here  he  was  entertained  with  an  elegant  Din- 
ner, and  the  Music  playing  the  whole  Time.  A 
Room  was  assigned  him  back  of  M''  Washing- 
ton's sitting  room,  and  all  his  baggage  was  stowed 
in  it.  .  .  . 

"  Genl  Washington  gave  him  the  Command  of 


GENERAL    LEES    PROPOSITIONS.  1 45 

the  right  wing  of  the  Army,  but  before  he  took 
charge  of  it,  he  requested  leave  to  go  to  Congress 
at  York  Town,  which  was  readily  granted. 

"  Before  he  went  I  had  an  interview  with  him. 
He  expressed  himself  under  the  greatest  obliga- 
tions to  me,  and  assured  me  that  he  never  should 
forget  my  kindness,  but  wished  exceedingly  to 
know  if  I  had  made  his  Communication  to  Con- 
gress &  what  was  their  opinion  of  it.  I  assured 
him  that  I  had  not,  and  if  he  was  wise,  he  would 
say  nothing  upon  the  subject.  He  said  he  was 
going  to  Congress  for  that  purpose  and  he  never 
would  rest  until  it  was  done,  as  he  was  now  more 
than  ever  convinced  that  nothing  else  could  save 
us  —  That  he  found  the  Army  in  a  worse  situa- 
tion than  he  expected,  and  that  General  Wash- 
ington was  not  fit  to  command  a  Sergeant's  Guard. 
This  mortified  me  greatly  after  all  the  kindness 
shown  him  by  Gen^  Washington. 

"  My  Jealousy  of  him  was  greatly  confirmed,  and 
I  began  to  interrogate  him,  about  his  reception  at 
Philadelphia,  and  immediately  brought  about  the 
question,  whether  he  had  seen  Gen^  Howe.  He 
told  me  that  he  had  been  closeted  with  him  the 
Evening  but  one  before  he  left  the  City.  I  urged 
him  to  tell  me  the  substance  of  the  Conversation 
that  passed  between  them.  He  told  me  that  Gen^ 
Howe  began  to  talk  upon  the  claim  of  Indepen- 
dence by  the  Americans,  that  he  thought  it  one 
of  the  most  absurd  &  hopeless  Expectations  that 
could  enter  into  the  mind  of  sensible  men  —  and 


146  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

as  for  you  Lee,  says  he,  what  in  the  Devil  could 
get  into  you  to  be  so  crazy  who  ought  to  know 
better.  Lee  answered  that  he  thought  it  a  very 
wise  measure  and  that  if  it  had  not  been  done, 
the  Americans  would  have  been  without  Excuse. 
The  General  replied,  why  what  end  can  it  answer? 
Do  you  think  there  is  the  most  distant  proba- 
bility of  their  succeeding  ?  To  which  Gen^  Lee 
replied,  they  were  perfectly  right — In  case  of  a 
treaty  what  have  they  to  give  up,  for  what  they 
may  insist  on  receiving,  had  they  made  no  claim 
to  Independence.  O  Sir  said  the  General,  if  that 
is  all  they  mean  by  it,  it  may  be  proper  enough, 
but  I  supposed  they  aimed  at  insisting  on  a  sep- 
aration from  the  Mother  Country,  but  in  this  view 
it  may  be  well  enough.  And  so  he  said  they 
parted,  but  General  Howe  sent  him  a  store  of 
Wine,  Spirits,  Porter  &c  &c.  to  take  out  with  him, 
—  but  the  british  soldiers  finding  out,  that  it  was 
stored  in  the  cellar  of  the  House  where  he  lodged, 
broke  into  it  the  night  before  he  came  away  & 
stole  the  whole  of  it.  All  this  increased  my  sus- 
picions of  Gen^  Lee  exceedingly,  and  I  watched 
him  with  a  Jealous  Eye. 

"  He  went  to  Congress,  and  as  I  was  afterwards 
informed,  he  applied  to  Congress  for  a  Committee 
to  meet  &  confer  with  him.  The  President  M"" 
Laurens  was  directed  to  this  service,  to  whom 
Gen'  Lee  communicated  his  Plan,  which  disgusted 
M''  Laurens  so  greatly  that  he  would  not  even  re- 
port it  to  Congress.     This  lessened  the  General  so 


GENERAL  LEE  AT  FREEHOLD.        1 47 

greatly  in  the  Eyes  of  Congress,  that  they  never 
paid  much  respect  to  him  afterwards. 

"  He  returned  to  the  Army  &  took  command 
of  the  right  wing.  He  immediately  began  to 
cabal  against  Gen^  Washington  &  to  quarrell  with 
the  Marquis  La  Fayette.  He  assured  me  himself, 
that  Genl  Washington  was  ruining  the  whole 
Cause,  that  he  was  looking  forward  to  the  British 
evacuating  Philadelphia  &  going  to  New  York, 
and  of  course  strengthening  his  left,  while  the 
right  was  totally  unguarded ;  but  Lee  said  that 
the  Enemy  would  pass  over  to  Chester  &  come 
suddenly  on  their  right  wing,  and  we  should  be 
wholly  overthrown.  He  said  he  had  urged  this 
in  Council,  but  that  he  had  been  overruled  & 
therefore  was  no  longer  accountable. 

"  When  the  british  Army  actually  passed  thro' 
Jersey  &  Gen^  Washington  by  his  great  precau- 
tion, had  advanced  two  Brigades  towards  the 
Delaware,  and  therefore  overtook  the  British  at 
Freehold,  Gen^  Lee  was  greatly  mortified  &  at 
first  refused  to  take  the  Command  of  the  advanced 
party  &  it  was  given  to  the  Marquis  La  Fayette, 
but  on  finding  that  the  advanced  army  was  rein- 
forced &  raised  to  a  very  respectable  Command, 
he  insisted  on  the  Command  ;  and  to  keep  Peace 
it  was  given  to  him. 

"  Gen^  Lee  accordingly  came  up  with  Genl 
Clinton  near  freehold  Court  House,  and  a  Skir- 
mish took  place.  Gen'  Lee  had  considerable 
military  knowledge   &  did  very  well  on  a  small 


148  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

scale  —  but  I  have  no  doubt  that  whenever  any- 
thing on  a  very  large  scale  struck  him,  that  a  par- 
tial Lunacy  took  place. 

"  His  Behaviour  this  Morning  discovered  this 
state  of  mind,  which  might  have  been  increased 
from  the  peculiarity  of  his  situation,  and  his  ex- 
alted Ideas  of  the  prowess  of  british  Troops.  In 
the  midst  of  the  Engagement,  he  rode  up  to  a  L* 
Coll.  of  my  acquaintance  who  had  a  single  field 
piece  firing  and  called  to  him,  *  Coll.  have  you 
seen  anything  improper  in  my  Conduct  this  morn- 
ing ? '  The  Coll.  (who  had  been  convinced  of 
something  wrong  in  the  Gen^  all  the  morning,  yet 
not  choosing  to  acknowledge  it)  answered,  no  by 
no  means  —  well  then  said  the  General,  do  you 
remember  that.  Such  an  Extraordinary  Question 
from  a  Commander  in  Chief  of  a  division,  under 
such  Extraordinary  Circumstances,  is  full  of  proof 
that  he  must  have  felt  something  unusual  in  him- 
self. 

"  The  Issue  was  that  he  was  beat,  and  had  not 
Gen^  Washington  have  come  up  in  a  lucky  mo- 
ment &  turned  the  fortune  of  the  day,  it  might 
have  been  fatal  to  America."^ 

Mr.  John  Fiske,  in  his  "  War  of  Independence," 
says  of  Lee's  villainy,  that  it  was  not  fully  known 
till  eighty  years  afterwards,  when  a  paper  of  his 
was  discovered  that  revealed  it  in  all  its  blackness.^ 

^  MSS.   Re7niniscences  of  Elias  Botcdinot,  Library  of  Mr,  John  Carter 
Brown. 
2  Fiske's  War  of  Independence,  p.  138. 


WASHINGTON  CHECKS  THE  ENEMY  S  ADVANCE.  1 49 

As  to  Washington,  Hamilton  remarks,  in  a  pri- 
vate letter  to  Mr.  Boudinot :  — 

"  I  never  saw  the  General  to  so  much  advantage 
—  His  coolness  and  firmness  were  admirable.  He 
instantly  took  measures  for  checking  the  enemy's 
advance  and  giving  time  to  the  army,  which  was 
very  near,  to  form  and  make  a  proper  disposition. 
He  then  rode  back  and  had  the  troops  formed  on 
a  very  advantageous  piece  of  ground ;  in  which, 
and  in  other  transactions  of  the  day  Gen^  Greene 
and  Lord  Stirling  rendered  very  essential  service 
and  did  themselves  great  honor.  America  owes 
a  great  deal  to  General  Washington  for  this  day's 
work.  A  general  rout,  dismay  and  disgrace  would 
have  attended  the  whole  army  in  any  other  hands 
but  his.  By  his  own  good  sense  and  fortitude  he 
turned  the  fate  of  the  day.  Other  officers  have 
great  merit  in  performing  their  parts  well,  but  he 
directed  the  whole  with  the  skill  of  a  Master 
Workman.  He  did  not  hug  himself  at  a  distance 
and  leave  Arnold  to  win  laurels  for  him,  but  by 
his  own  presence  he  brought  order  out  of  confu- 
sion, animated  his  troops  and  led  them  to  suc- 
cess." 

After  a  tribute  to  Wayne,  Stewart,  Ramsay, 
Olney,  Livingston,  Barber,  Cilley,  Parker,  Craig, 
and  Oswald,  he  observes  :  — 

*'  The  behavior  of  the  officers  and  men  was  such 
as  could  not  easily  be  surpassed.  Our  troops,  after 
the  first  impulse  from  mismanagement,  behaved 
with   more  spirit  and  moved  with  greater  order 


150  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

than  the  British  troops.  You  know  my  way  of 
thinking  of  our  army  and  that  I  am  not  apt  to 
flatter  it.  I  assure  you  I  never  was  pleased  with 
them  before  this  day  —  What  think  you  now  of 
General  Lee?  Whatever  a  court-Martial  may 
decide,  I  shall  continue  to  believe  and  say  —  his 
conduct  was  monstrous  and  unpardonable."  ^ 

1  History  of  the  Republic^  by  J.  C.  Hamilton,  vol.  i.  pp.  468-478. 


CHAPTER  IX. 

Election  to  Congress.  —  Writes  to  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Lodging  at  Mrs. 
Thomas  Franklin's.  —  Of  Monmouth.  —  Incloses  letter  from  General 
Washington.  —  July  9,  great  heat.  —  News  of  French  fleet  on  our 
coast.  —  English  fleet  following.  —  Indians  cut  off  Wyoming  settle- 
ment. —  Illness.  —  Longs   to    retire.  —  Visit   from   French   minister. 

—  Colonel    Hamilton    to   Mr.    Boudinot    concerning  Baron  Steuben. 

—  Settlement  of  Mr.  Boudinot's  accounts.  —  Letter  to  Mrs.  Boudinot, 
describing  reception  of  French  minister.  —  Lord  Howe's  fleet  at  Rhode 
Island.  —  Count  d'Estaing.  —  General  Sullivan. 

Having  been  elected  to  the  Continental  Con- 
gress at  a  joint  meeting  of  the  Legislative  Coun- 
cil and  General  Assembly  of  the  State  of  New 
Jersey,  held  at  Princeton  on  the  20th  day  of 
November,  1777,  with  his  colleagues  Messrs. 
Witherspoon,  Clark,  Elmore,  and  Scudder,  Mr. 
Boudinot  resigned  his  office  of  Commissary  Gen- 
eral of  Prisoners ;  but  he  did  not  take  his  seat  in 
Congress  until  July  of  1778,  awaiting  the  appoint- 
ment of  his  successor  in  office,  and  owing  also  to 
the  exigency  of  the  case  regarding  the  exchange 
of  prisoners  at  the  time. 

Leaving  his  family  at  Baskingridge,  he  repaired 
to  Philadelphia,  from  whence  he  writes  to  Mrs. 
Boudinot  as  follows :  — 

>         Philadelphia  July  7*''  1778 

My  Dearest  Love 

Thro'  the  goodness  of  God  I  arrived  here,  after 
a   very   disagreeable,   tedious    Ride,   on    Sunday 


152  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

morning  —  Yesterday  took  my  seat  in  Congress 
&  am  unexpectedly  &  happily  lodged  at  M"' 
Thomas  Franklin's  a  very  agreeable  Family  & 
one  of  the  most  pleasant  Houses  in  the  City  — 

I  found  your  two  letters  here,  which  you  wrote 
at  Princeton,  for  which  am  much  obliged,  as  I 
am  by  every  thing  that  suggests  my  share  in  the 
affection  of  the  dearest  of  women  —  My  scene  of 
labor  is  opening  rather  larger  than  I  could  wish 
but  usefulness  in  Life  &  a  blessed  Prospect  of 
Happiness  in  Death,  ought  to  be  our  continual 
desire.  How  much  are  we  indebted  to  our  gra- 
cious Protector  for  his  amazing  interposition  in 
our  Favor  on  the  Field  of  Monmouth;  altho'  I 
suppose  you  are  filled  wdth  every  circumstance  of 
that  important  Day,  by  this  Time,  yet  I  enclose 
the  Letter  of  our  great  &  worthy  General,  whose 
modesty  in  the  Diction  is  only  excelled  by  his 
Bravery  in  the  Execution  of  the  plan  of  that 
great  day's  work  — 

My  kind  love  to  all  the  Family  &  Friends. 
Kiss  my  dear  Susan 

Am  my  dear  Wife  with 

utmost  affection  &  esteem 

Your  loving 

Mrs  BOUDINOT  BoUDINOT  ^ 

And  again :  — 

Philadelphia  July  g^^  1778 

My  dearest  Love 

It  is  so  hot  that  I  cannot  sleep,  so  I  must  spend 
a  few^   minutes  in   letting  you   hear  from  me  — 

1  Family  letters. 


FRENCH    AND    ENGLISH    FLEETS.  1 53 

• 

This  City  is  enough  to  kill  a  horse  &  if  I  had  not 
been  highly  favored  in  obtaining  most  excellent 
Lodgings  I  should  have  been  overcome  with  the 
heat  —  We  have  rec^  advice  today  from  France  of 
a  Fleet  being  on  our  coast  consisting  of  12 
French  Ships  of  the  Line,  Six  Frigates  &  two 
xebeques  all  under  the  command  of  the  Admiral 
Count  de  Estang  with  an  Ambassador  &c.  &c. 
An  English  Fleet  has  followed  them,  so  that  we 
daily  expect  to  hear  of  some  bloody  work  —  The 
Indians  have  struck  on  the  Frontier  &  entirely 
cut  off  the  Wyoming  Settlement  —  It  is  said  200 
Inhabitants  were  scalped  — 

May  a  holy  God  deliver  us  from  this  barbarous 
Enemy  — 

Enclosed  you  have  the  publications  of  the  Day. 

My  love  to  all  as  if  mentioned  —  Kiss  my 
Susan  &  excuse  this  scrawl  &  believe  me  with 
cool  reflection  and  sincerity 

Your  most  affectionate 

BOUDINOT  ^ 

On  July  22  he  writes:  — 

"  The  fever  is  entirely  broke  &  nothing  but  the 
dull  weather  keeps  me  from  going  out."  He  has 
not  heard  from  his  "Dearest  Love"  for  twenty- 
three  long  days,  and  is  evidently  out  of  spirits  and 
taking  a  dark  view  of  things.  He  says  :  "  I  am  not 
quite  satisfied  with  my  prospects  here,  they  do  not 
quite  answer  my  expectations  &  I  am  afraid  that  I 

1  Family  letters. 


1 54  ELlXS     BOUDINOT. 

am  only  wasting  time  but  perhaps  my  Ideas  may 
hereafter  alter —  If  honor  or  public  applause  was 
my  object,  it  may  be  that  I  might  be  gratified"  — 
But  on  the  26th  his  mood  is  brighter;  he  writes: 
"  Indeed  I  scarcely  live  a  day,  without  some  fresh 
call  to  praise  our  God  for  his  goodness  &  to  say 
that  his  mercy  endureth  for  ever,  —  and  I  have 
lately  experienced  it  in  removing  my  disorder  in 
so  speedy  a  manner,  could  we  but  live  answ^erable 
to  such  mercies  it  would  increase  our  Happiness 
to  the  Summit  of  earthly  felicity  —  I  dare  not 
think  too  much  of  my  beloved  Wife  &  dear  Fam- 
ily as  I  know  it  is  apt  to  have  an  effect  on  my 
determinations  "  — 

On  the  13th  of  August  the  fever  takes  posses- 
sion again  and  he  is  forced  to  idleness  and  sad 
reflection  —  "I  have  a  little  leisure  to  converse 
with  the  dear  object  of  my  warmest  affection  & 
esteem,  altho'  I  do  not  write  without  pain  —  I  am 
applying  the  Bark  in  such  quantities  that  I  hope 
to  be  out  tomorrow  God  willing — If  my  health 
should  not  be  restored  in  a  few  days  I  shall  not 
be  easy  without  visiting  my  beloved  cottage  where 
all  my  earthly  Treasure  is  almost  buried  —  Per- 
haps if  I  could  forget  it  more  than  I  do,  it  would 
add  to  my  present  Pleasure  —  I  know  that  the 
things  of  this  Life  are  generally  unsatisfactory  & 
illusory  &  that  Enjoyment  disappoints  us  at  the 
last  but  notwithstanding  I  verily  believe  that  thro' 
the  indulgent  mercy  &  kindness  of  a  Holy  God 
as  little  of   that   disappointment  has  fell   to  my 


LETTER    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT.  155 

share  as  to  any  one  Person  in  the  World — My 
desire  is  to  be  useful  &  as  my  Gracious  God  has 
in  his  all  wise  Providence  been  pleased  to  favour 
me  beyond  the  common  Lott  of  the  children  of 
men  &  that  not  only  in  the  best  of  women  for  my 
companion  thro'  Life  but  in  a  beloved  Daughter 
Family  &  Friends  &  every  other  earthly  blessing 
with  the  means  &  hopes  of  Eternal  Life,  so  I 
would  endeavour  at  the  risque  of  every  earthly 
comfort  &  enjoyment  to  do  his  Will  under  any 
circumstances  of  Life ;  This,  my  dearest  &  best 
beloved  is  my  consolation  &  only  satisfactory 
reason  for  the  loss  of  your  inestimable  company 
which  cannot  be  replaced  by  all  the  grandure, 
Parade  &  Noise  that  the  World  affords  —  My 
ambition  is  satisfied  and  when  it  pleases  Him 
whose  I  am  &  ever  wish  to  be,  a  return  to  my 
original  obscurity  will  be  acknowledged  with  grat- 
itude &  Praise —  I  am  but  of  little  consequence 
here  &  can  add  but  a  trifle  in  the  great  scale  of 
publick  movement — I  wish  to  retire  and  shall 
take  the  first  favourable  opportunity  — 

I  have  had  a  visit  from  the  French  Minister  & 
have  dined  and  breakfasted  with  him  —  If  well 
enough  I  go  tomorrow  with  him  to  the  Valley 
Forge." ' 

On  the  26th  of  July  Hamilton  wrote  to  Mr. 
Boudinot :  — 

"  Baron  Steuben  will  do  me  the  honor  to  deliver 
you  this :   He  waits  upon  Congress  in  a  temper 

1  Family  letters. 


156  ELI  AS     BOUDINOT. 

which  I  very  much  regret  —  discontented  with 
his  situation,  and  almost  resolved  to  quit  the  ser- 
vice. You  know  we  have  all  the  best  opinion 
of  this  gentleman's  MiHtary  merit,  and  shall  of 
course  consider  his  leaving  the  army  as  a  loss  to 
it.  Whether  any  expedient  can  be  adopted  to  re- 
concile difficulties  and  retain  him  in  the  service,  at 
the  same  time  that  no  disgust  is  given  to  others 
who  ought  not  to  be  disgusted,  I  cannot  certainly 
determine.  But  I  should  conceive  it  would  not 
be  impossible  to  find  such  an  expedient.  You 
have  no  doubt  heard  while  you  were  with  the 
army  of  the  obstacles  thrown  in  his  way  by  many 
of  the  general  officers  excited  to  it  by  Lee  and 
Miflin,  as  I  believe,  in  the  execution  of  the  inspec- 
torship ;  and  you  have,  it  is  equally  probable 
heard  of  an  arrangement  the  General  was  in  a 
manner  obliged  to  adopt  to  silence  the  clamors 
which  existed  amoung  them,  and  place  the  inspec- 
torate upon  a  footing  more  conformable  tq  their 
ideas.  The  opposition  the  Baron  met  with  in  the 
case  was  one  cause  of  dissatisfaction  to  him.  In 
our  march  from  Brunswick,  as  the  Baron  was 
unemployed  and  there  was  a  great  deficiency  of 
general  officers,  notwithstanding  the  ideas  of  the 
army  are  against  giving  a  command  in  the  line  to 
a  person  vested  with  an  office  similar  to  that  held 
by  him,  the  General  ventured  to  give  him  the 
temporary  command  of  a  division  during  the 
march,  in  consequence  of  which  the  command  of 
a  wing  devolved  upon  him.     This  was  a  source  of 


LETTER    FROM    HAMILTON.  1 57 

offence  to  many.  When  we  came  near  the  White 
Plains  the  General  thanked  him  in  general  orders 
for  his  services,  and  requested  he  would  resume 
the  exercise  of  his  former  office.  To  this,  on 
account  of  the  opposition  he  had  already  met 
with,  and  from  the  original  plan  for  the  inspector- 
ship being  mutilated,  he  discovered  very  great 
disinclination  and  expressed  desire  to  preserve 
command  in  the  line,  —  and  from  some  conversa- 
tion we  have  had  together  I  apprehend  he  meant 
to  resign  his  present  appointment,  if  he  cannot 
have  a  command  suited  to  his  rank  annexed  to  it. 
"  You  will  see  by  the  General's  Letters  what 
are  his  sentiments  both  with  respect  to  the  duties 
of  the  inspectorship  and  the  Baron's  holding  a 
command  in  the  line  —  Far  be  it  from  me  to  wish 
to  contravene  his  views  ;  you  may  be  assured  they 
cannot  be  essentially  departed  from  without  very 
serious  inconvenience.  But  if  anything  could  be 
done  consistent  with  them  to  satisfy  the  Baron, 
it  would  be  extremely  desirable.  Perhaps  the 
principle  on  which  the  General's  arrangement  is 
formed,  may  be  preserved,  and  at  the  same  time 
the  object  of  the  inspectorship  enlarged,  so  as  to 
render  it  a  more  important  employment.  Per- 
haps a  resolution  of  Congress  giving  the  Baron  a 
right  to  be  employed  on  detachments  might,  for 
the  present,  compensate  for  the  want  of  a  perma- 
nent command  in  the  line,  and  might  not  be  disa- 
greeable to  the  officers.  You  can  sound  him  on 
these  heads.     I  need  not  caution  you  that  this  is 


158  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

a  matter  of  great  delicacy  and  importance,  and 
that  every  step  taken  in.  it  ought  to  be  well  con- 
sidered." ^ 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes :  — 

"  When  I  found  every  Application  to  obtain 
hard  Money  from  Congress  for  the  Cloathing  of 
our  Prisoners  in  Vain,  I  waited  on  Gen^  Wash- 
ington and  proposed  my  Resignation,  as  my 
Character  was  at  Stake,  having  (on  the  Promise 
of  the  secret  Committee  to  yield  me  every  neces- 
sary Aid)  pledged  myself  to  the  Officers  in  Con- 
finement that  they  should  be  regularly  supplied 
with  every  Necessary,  but  they  now  suffered  more 
than  ever — In  much  Distress  &  with  tears  in  his 
Eyes  he  assured  me  that  if  he  was  deserted  by 
the  Gent^  of  the  Country,  he  should  despair — He 
could  not  do  everything — He  was  Gen^ — Quar- 
termaster &  Commissary,  everything  fell  on  him 
&  he  was  unequal  to  the  Task —  He  gave  me  the 
most  positive  Engagements  that  if  I  would  con- 
trive any  Mode  for  their  Support  &  Comfort  he 
would  confirm  it  as  far  as  it  was  in  his  Power  — 
On  this  I  told  him,  that  I  knew  of  but  one  Way, 
&  that  was  to  borrow  Money  on  my  own  private 
Security — He  assured  me,  that  in  Case  I  did, 
and  was  not  reimbursed  by  Congress,  he  would 
go  an  equal  Share  with  me  in  the  Loss  —  I  then 
formed  this  Plan  of  obliging  Gen^  Burgoyne  to 
pay  hard  Money  for  the  Support  of  the  British 
Prisoners  whom  we  supplied  with  daily  Rations, 

1  J.  C.  Hamilton's  Life  of  Alexander  Hamilton. 


SUPPORT  OF  PRISONERS  ON  PERSONAL  CREDIT.    I  59 

and  in  the  meantime  proceeded  to  borrow  Money 
or  take  Goods  in  New  York  on  my  own  Credit  — 
Thus  I  furnished  300  Officers  with  a  handsome 
Suit  of  Cloathes  each,  and  iioo  Men  with  a. plain 
Suit,  found  them  Blanketts,  Shirts,  &c.  and  added 
to  their  Provisions  found  by  the  British  a  full 
half  ration  of  Bread  &  Beef  per  Day  for  upwards 
of  15  Months — Part  of  this  I  supplied  by  send- 
ing Wheat  &  Flour  to  New  York  &  selling  them 
for  hard  Money  under  leave  from  Gen^  Robertson 

—  Some  time  in  the  Beginning  of  the  Year  1778 
Congress  received  from  Gen^  Burgoyne  near 
40,000  Dollars  in  hard  Money — In  the  Begin- 
ning of  1778  I  was  chosen  a  Member  of  Congress 
but  continued  in  the  Army  till  June,  when  Gen^ 
Washington  knowing  that  I  was  near  Thirty 
thousand  Dollars  in  advance  for  the  Prisoners, 
urged  me  to  go  &  take  my  Seat  in  Congress, 
where  I  might  get  some  of  the  hard  Money  rec"^ 
from  Gen^  Burgoyne  before  it  was  all  expended, 
for  if  it  was  once  gone,  I  should  be  totally  ruined 

—  I  accordingly  left  the  Army  &  joined  Congress 
on  their  Return  from  Yorktown  in  Pennsylvania 
after  the  British  had  evacuated  the  City  of  Phila- 
delphia—  I. applied  to  the  Chamber  of  Au""  and 
with  great  Difficulty  got  my  Acc^^  settled  —  A 
very  large  Balance  was  found  in  my  Favor  and  a 
Warrant  ordered  for  15,000  Dols  Continental  and 
a  Report  made  that  I  had  actually  advanced  the 
Cash  and  there  was  upwards  of  10,000  Pounds 
hard   Money  that   I  yet  owed  —  I  urged  the  ap- 


l60  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

pointment  of  a  Committee  of  Congress  to  an 
Examination  of  these  Expenditures  &  to  report 
upon  them  —  Richard  Henry  Lee  &  William 
Duer  were  accordingly  appointed,  and  after  a  full 
Examination  reported  the  Sum  of  Twenty  -six 
thousand  six  hundred  and  sixty  six  dollars  f  in 
specie,  for  which  they  recommended  a  Warrant 
to  be  immediately  issued  —  On  considering  this 
Report  Mr.  Dana  from  Massachusetts  &  Mr. 
Merchant  from  Rhode  Island  opposed  the  Report 
of  the  Committee  with  great  Violence,  insisting 
that  as  Mr.  Boudinot  had  taken  up  this  Money  at 
the  Instance  of  Gen^  Washington  without  the 
Approbation  of  Congress  he  had  no  Right  to  be 
repaid  but  in  continental  Money  as  other  Credi- 
tors of  Congress  —  After  much  Altercation  I  got 
up  and  informed  the  House  that  I  had  borrowed 
the  Money  on  my  private  Credit  in  the  City  of 
New  York  —  That  I  should  never  ask  the  House 
for  the  Payment  of  it  again  —  That  I  should  on 
my  Return  Home,  see  what  Property  I  had  & 
pay  as  far  as  that  would  go,  and  then  publish  to 
the  World  why  I  was  insolvent  for  the  Balance  — 
But  I  also  informed  the  House  that  even  to  that 
Moment,  our  Prisoners  in  New  York  were  fed  & 
cloathed  on  my  private  Credit  —  That  I  would 
immediately  send  Orders,  to  stop  further  Issues 
to  them  on  my  ace*  in  lo  Days,  and  desired  Pro- 
vision might  be  made  for  these  unhappy  People 
after  the  Expiration  of  that  Time  —  on  which 
they  went  to  other  Business,  without  doing  any- 
thing on  the  Report  — 


MR.  duer's  speech.  i6i 

"  I  sent  Orders  to  my  Agent  in  New  York,  and 
all  further  Issues  were  stopped  accordingly  — 

"  The  latter  End  of  July  I  rec^  a  very  affecting 
Letter  from  my  Agent  painting  the  Distresses  of 
the  •  Prisoners  in  so  striking  a  Manner  and  the 
Death  of  Several  more  than  had  been  usual,  that 
I  could  not  longer  persist  in  my  Determination 
of  Silence  on  the  Subject — Having  rec^  their 
Letter  in  Congress,  I  arose  with  Tears  in  my 
Eyes,  and  reminding  them  of  my  former  Promise 
begged  Leave  to  break  thro'  it,  so  far  as  to  read 
the  Letter,  which  I  did — On  this  Mr.  Duer  (a 
Man  of  much  Feeling)  arose  and  in  a  speech  of 
more  than  half  an  Hour  declaimed  so  severely 
agt  the  ungrateful  Conduct  of  the  House,  that  a 
unanimous  Vote  immediately  passed  for  a  War- 
rant in  my  Favor  ^10,000  in  Specie,  which  was 
immediately  sent  to  New  York."  -^ 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes  to  his  wife  on  August  8 
of  his  disappointment  at  not  meeting  her  at 
Princeton,  whither  he  had  gone  for  that  purpose, 
having  put  off  going  to  Valley  Forge  with  the 
French  Minister,  Sieur  Gerard.  He  thanks  her 
for  numerous  letters,  saying,  "  How  shall  I  repay 
you.f^  it  can  only  be  by  loving  you  with  a  still 
more  ardent  affection  if  possible."  Then  adds  on 
Thursday :  — 

"  We  gave  the  Sieur  Gerard  his '  public  audi- 
ence    The  ceremony  as  follows :   Our  President 

1  MSS.  Reminiscences  of  Elias  Boudinot^  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter 
Brown. 


1 62  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

was  seated  in  a  Mahogany  armed  chair  on  a  plat- 
form raised  about  two  feet,  with  a  large  table 
covered  with  green  cloth  &  the  secretary  along 
side  of  him  —  The  Members  were  all  seated 
round  within  the  Bar  and  a  large  armed  chair  in 
the  middle  opposite  the  President  for  the  Plenipo 
—  At  Twelve  Oc.  our  State  Coach  &  Six  waited 
on  the  Minister  at  his  quarters  —  He  was  preceded 
by  his  own  Chariot  &  two  with  his  Secretaries. 
The  Minister  was  attended  by  two  Members  who 
introduced  him  thro'  the  crowd  &  seated  him  in 
the  chair;  He  then  sent  to  the  President  (by  his 
Secretary)  the  Letters  from  the  King  of  France 
to  Congress,  which  was  opened  &  read  aloud  first 
in  French  &  then  in  English  —  It  was  then  an- 
nounced to  the  house  by  the  waiting  Member, 
that  the  stransrer  introduced  was  the  Minister 
Plenepotentiary  from  His  most  Christian  Majesty, 
upon  which  the  Minister  arose  &  bowed  to  the 
President  &  then  to  the  House  &  the  House  ris- 
ing returned  the  Compliment  —  The  Minister 
then  addressed  the  Congress  and  was  answered 
by  the  President,  on  which,  the  bowing  again 
took  place  &  the  whole  concluded  —  A  public 
Dinner  succeeded  at  which  was  a  band  of  musick 
&  the  firing  of  Cannon  —  The  whole  was  plain, 
grand  &  decent  —  The  Minister  was  much  pleased 
as  well  as  the  Audience  "  —  ^ 

On  August  the  1 7th  he  writes  her :  — 

"  I  have  been  diverting  myself  with  a  revival  of 

1  Family  letters. 


LETTER    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT.  1 63 

all  your  kind  &  affectionate  Favours  with  which 
I  have  been  honoured  since  my  residence  here  — 
Great  is  the  enjoyment  &  satisfaction  my  fond 
heart  feels  on  the  recapitulation  of  those  tender 
&  endearing  sentiments  &  impressions  that  fall 
with  so  good  a  grace  from  the  Pen  of  my  lovely 
Wife  —  For  the  future  pray  Number  all  your 
letters  as  I  shall  do,  by  which  means  you  will 
know  if  any  miscarry  "  — 

"  We  have  advice  that  Lord  Howe's  Fleet  went 
to  Rhode  Island  arrived  there,  this  day  week  that 
Count  d'  Estaing  immediately  went  out  to  attack 
them  —  They  fled  &.he  pursued  —  On  Tuesday 
afternoon  they  were  left  at  Sea  just  drawn  up  in 
line  of  Battle  —  They  have  burned  five  of  their 
Frigates  at  Rhode  Island  &  it  is  said  a  number  of 
Transports  —  Gen^  Sullivan  has  landed  on  the 
North  coast  of  the  Island  &  is  only  waiting  for 
the  return  of  the  French  Squadron" — ^ 

1  Family  letters. 


CHAPTER  X. 

Friendship  with  Hamilton.  —  Mr.  Boudinot's  defense  of  Hamilton.— 
Hamilton  on  Sullivan.  —  Greene  and  Laurens.  —  Distinguished 
French  gentlemen.  —  Mr.  Toussard.  —  Mr.  William  Peartree  Smith 
to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Views  of  state  of  the  country.  —  Son  Belcher.  — 
Reference  to  his  daughter's  engagement.  —  Mr.  Boudinot's  reply.  — 
Anxiously  expecting  news  from  Rhode  Island.  —  Expiration  of  term. 
—  Joins  his  family  at  Baskingridge.  —  Community  there.  —  General 
Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot. — Acknowledges  a  composition  of  his 
sister.  —  1779,  hopes  to  see  him  with  Mrs.  Boudinot  and  Miss  Boudinot 
at  Middle  Brook.  —  From  Philadelphia  writes  to  Mrs.  Boudinot,  March 
5,  1779. —  Hears  his  house  has  been  burned  by  British;  does  not  be- 
lieve it.  — "  Powers  of  Europe  all  in  our  favour."  —  Burgomasters 
acknowledge  independence.  —  Spain  on  our  side.  —  Empress  of  Russia 
refuses  aid  to  England.  —  The  town  increasing  in  extravagance.  — 
Depreciation  of  money.  —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot,  April  6th.  —  Offer  of 
remunerative  office.  —  General  Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  To 
arrange  for  information  from  the  enemy.  —  Describes  a  liquid  for  con- 
veying secretly  intelHgence.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington 
regarding  designs  of  the  enemy.  —  Report  of  condition  about  New 
York.  —  General  Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to 
General  Washington,  1780.  —  Rev.  James  Caldwell,  patriot  chaplain 
and  commissary,  shot.  —  Mrs.  Caldwell  shot.  —  Children  cared  for. — 
Mr.  Boudinot  to  Major-General  Phillips. 

The  lifelong  friendship  of  the  Boudlnots  with 
Alexander  Hamilton  began  when  the  latter,  as  a 
lad  of  fifteen,  came  from  his  West  Indian  home 
to  study  at  Mr.  Francis  Barber's  school  at  Eliza- 
bethtown.  New  Jersey,  which  was  under  the  pat- 
ronage of  Governor  Livingston  and  Ellas  Boudi- 
not, of  whose  families  he  was  a  frequent  guest. 

Mr.  J.  C.  Hamilton  relates  the  story  of  his  hav- 
ing sat  up  to  watch  over  the  body  of  an  infant 


ALEXANDER    HAMILTON.  1 65 

that  Mr.  Boudinot  had  lost,  and  his  employing  the 
hours  of  his  sorrowful  vigils  in  writing  consolatory 
verses,  afterwards  presented  to  the  mother;  also 
of  his  ardent  and  religious  mind  inspiring  the 
prayers  at  the  family  gathering  for  that  purpose, 
a  daily  custom  in  the  Boudinot  family.^ 

There  appears  to  have  been  but  few  letters 
passing  between  Hamilton  and  Mr.  Boudinot. 
This  is  accounted  for  by  the  fact  that  they  lived 
near  each  other,  that  they  were  for  a  time  to- 
gether in  the  army  and  afterwards  in  Congress, 
so  that  their  intercourse  was  constant  and  per- 
sonal. 

When  Hamilton  was  Secretary  of  the  Treasury 
Mr.  Boudinot  w^as  still  a  Representative  in  Con- 
gress. 

We  can  conceive  how,  in  February,  1793,  his 
almost  fatherly  pride  in  Hamilton  was  wounded, 
and  his  sense  of  justice  outraged,  while  every 
noble  and  generous  impulse  was  excited  to  do 
battle  in  the  House  of  Representatives  for  the 
friend  whose  career  from  boyhood  he  had  watched 
with  a  loving  and  jealous  eye,  —  that  fatherless 
boy  in  a  strange  land,  whose  genius  had  unfolded 
itself  in  his  own  neighborhood,  almost  beneath 
his  own  roof-tree,  where  Hamilton  was  wont  to 
make  himself  at  home  and  wind  hirnself  into  the 
hearts  of  all  there  domiciled.  The  cool  and  dis- 
passionate way  in  which  Mr.  Boudinot  brings 
forward  his  proofs  and  figures,  routing  his  adver- 

1  J.  C.  Hamilton's  Life  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  vol.  i.  p.  8. 


^ 


1 66  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

saries  horse  and  foot,  prepares  us  for  the  great 
majority  which  set  aside  those  adverse  resolutions, 
and  makes  one  glad  that  the  judicial  mind  was 
there  to  lead  and  hold  in  leash  the  more  ardent 
promptings  of  affection.^ 

Hamilton  writes  him,  in  a  private  letter,  his 
view  of  Sullivan,  regarding  the  order,  stigmatizing 
an  ally  and  the  folly  of  it,  and  referring  to  the 
credit  "  universally  accorded  the  happy  and  well- 
conducted  retreat;"^  to.  know  how  to  strike  the 
proper  string  in  approbation  of  the  one  and  disap- 
probation of  the  other  would  require  more  skill 
than  he  was  master  of,  but  he  recommends  a 
proper  mixture  of  the  sweet  and  bitter  in  the  por- 
tion which  may  be  administered :  — 

..."  I  am  sure  it  will  give  you  pleasure  to  have 
heard  that  our  friend  Greene  did  ample  justice  to 
himself  on  this  expedition,  and  that  Laurens  was 
as  conspicuous  as  usual.  —  But  while  we  celebrate 
our  friends  and  countrymen,  we  should  not  be 
forgetful  of  those  meritorious  strangers  who  are 
sharing  the  toils  and  dangers  of  America  without 
derogating  from  the  merit  of  the  other  French 
gentlemen  who  distinguished  themselves  Mr. 
Toussard  may  be  justly  allowed  a  pre-eminent 
place.  In  the  enthusiasm  of  heroic  valor,  he  at- 
tempted single  and  unseconded  to  possess  himself 
of  one  of  the  enemys  field-pieces,  which  he  saw 
weakly  defended  —  He  did  not  effect  it  and  the 
loss  of  his  arm  was  the  Price  of  his  bravery,  his 

1  See  Speech,  vol.  ii.  ^  From  Rhode  Island. 


LETTER    FROM    MR.    WILLIAM    PEARTREE    SMITH.    1 67 

horse  was  shot  under  him  at  the  same  time  ;  but 
we  should  not  the  less  admire  the  boldness  of  the 
exploit  from  a  failure  in  the  success.  This  gen- 
tleman has  now,  in  another  and  more  signal  in- 
stance justified  the  good  opinion  I  have  long 
entertained  of  him,  and  merited  by  a  fresh  testi- 
mony of  his  zeal  as  well  as  a  new  stroke  of  mis- 
fortune, the  consideration  of  Congress.  The 
splendid  action  he  has  now  performed,  and  for 
which  he  has  paid  so  dear  should  neither  be  con- 
cealed from  the  public  eye  nor  the  public  patron- 
age —  You  are  at  liberty  to  commit  this  part  of 
my  letter  to  the  press  —  With  the  most  affection- 
ate attachment "  —  ^ 

hon.  william  peartree  smith  to  mr.  boudinot. 

My  Dear  Sir 

I  am  extremely  affected  to  hear  of  your  illness, 
by  a  Letter  just  received  from  my  Son.  Until  I 
can  hear  of  your  recovery,  I  shall  daily  feel  myself 
constrained  to  implore  the  great  Author  of  life  to 
restore  Health,  not  to  an  invaluable  friend  of  mine 
only,  (for  that  might  be  the  meer  effusion  of  par- 
tiality and  self  Love)  but  to  a  Friend  &  Benefactor 
to  his  Country  &  Mankind.  As  your  fever  is  of 
the  intermitting  kind,  and  not  uncommon  at  this 
season  of  the  year,  with  a  little  care  &  due  use  of 
the  Bark,  I  hope  in  God,  you  may  be  quickly 
raised  to  your  wonted  usefulness. 

From  the  whole  current  and  complection  of  the 

1  J.  C.  Hamilton's  History  of  the  Republic^  vol.  i.  p.  448. 


1 68  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

late  papers  it  appears  clearly  to  me,  that  the  Brit- 
ish Parliament  will  soon  give  up  the  American 
Contest —  Indeed  they  cannot  stand  it,  with  a 
War  in  Europe  on  their  hands  at  the  same  time 
—  Very  soon  I  expect  to  hear  of  Propositions 
made  you  for  declaring  our  Independence.  But 
if  War  be  declared  on  the  part  of  France  (which  I 
have  not  yet  heard)  I  think  we  cannot  now,  from 
the  Articles  of  our  Alliance,  make  a  separate  piece 
with  them.  Was  the  French  fleet  out  of  the  way, 
I  firmly  believe  we  should  soon  hear  of  the  Em- 
barkation of  their  troops  from  N.  York.  But  how 
can  they  get  off  now,  without  falling  a  prey  ?  To 
use  Ld  Abington's  words  "  like  a  parcel  of  Asses 
they  are  driven  into  a  pound,  out  of  which  all 
their  Pounds,  shillings  pence,  cannot  get  them 
unpoundedr  All  their  hopes  lie  in  the  speedy 
appearance  of  a  superior  English  Squadron. 
Count  D'Estaing  appears  to  be  under  very  little 
apprehension,  and  seems  to  think  (as  I  am  told,) 
that  the  English  Fleet  has  been  detained.  How- 
ever it  is  my  Conjecture  that  the  Count  will  not 
long  remain  in  his  present  Situation  —  Should  he 
slip  off  at  once  to  the  Eastward,  all  the  British 
Ships  of  War  &  vessels  at  R.  Island  would  imme- 
diately fall  into  his  hands,  did  they  not  suspect 
such  a  maneuver  in  time  to  make  an  Escape.  A 
few  Capital  Ships  left  to  cruise  on  our  Coast  would 
cut  off  supplies  this  way  and  the  passage  thro' 
the  Sound  be  effectually  stopped,  which  I  sup- 
pose is   now  open  to  them,  and  can  be  kept  so, 


MR.    BELCHER    SMITH.  1 69 

(should  the  whole  french  fleet  continue  where 
they  are)  by  the  British  Men  of  War  to  the  East- 
ward —  A  little  time  will  show  whether  my  Con- 
jecture would  be  well  founded.  —  Three  deserters 
who  are  just  escaped  from  Staten  Island  assert, 
that"  the  Enemy  are  reduced  to  half  allowances. — 
In  short,  without  relief  they  will  soon  be  at  their 
wit's  end,  and  the  show  will  soon  be  over — The 
Tories  "  all  look  aghast,  while  unforseen  destruc- 
tion pours  in  upon  them  thus  from  every  side  "  — 
Permit  me  now  to  trouble  you  with  my  thoughts 
on  a  private  affair,  and  to  request  your  influence 
in  it.  I  am  concerned  to  get  my  Son  B.  if  not  in 
a  more  lucrative,  yet  in  a  rather  more  reputable 
Station  than  he  is  at  present.  The  Place  of  Dep. 
Secy  of  Congress,  has,  I  am  told,  been  long  va- 
cant. Perhaps  it  may  be  kept  so,  because  it 
may  be  deemed  unnecessary  to  fill  it  &  perhaps 
to  save  some  little  expense.  As  my  son  is  un- 
doubtedly adequate  to  the  Employment  (for  it  re- 
quires- no  more  of  ability  than  the  place  he  now 
has)  he  hath  unquestionably  the  preferable  claim 
whenever  it  is  to  be  filled.  If  Congress  should 
not  think  it  expedient  at  present  to  distinguish  the 
occupant  by  any  additional  pay ;  (tho'  a  trifling 
addition,  to  distinguish,  would  seem  proper)  Yet 
the  appointment,  tho'  barely  nominal,  I  should 
look  upon  to  be  more  honourable  and  reputable 
to  him,"  than  the  character  of  a  mere  Scribe  in  the 
Oflice.  He  has  drudged  on  in  this  way,  in  severe 
sedentary  labour  near  two  years,  I  fear  to  the  injury 


lyO  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

of  his  health  &  with  an  allowance  very  inadequate 
to  support.  I  think  his  irreproachable  moral  con- 
duct and  approved  fidelity  merit  Notice,  and  if  he 
cannot  be  rewarded  in  Substance,  at  least  put  this 
little  Feather  in  his  cap,  &  give  him  a  more  re- 
sponsible Name.  Tho'  I  own,  I  look  upon  this, 
as  but  an  inconsiderable  thing  for  him  at  present ; 
yet  I  have  in  view  —  Futurity.  I  have  hinted 
this  matter  to  Dr  W.  I  presume  his  friendship 
&  good  opinion  of  B.  will  lead  him,  (if  you  think 
it  not  inexpedient)  to  cooperate  with  you  in  accom- 
plishing my  wishes  —  I  have  opened  my  mind 
freely  to  you  &  leave  the  matter  to  your  better 
Judgment  &  Conduct  — 

I  will  tell  you  a  piece  of  secret  intelligence,  but 
you  must  not  mention  it,  as  it  lies  yet  only  in  our 
suspicions  &  will  reflect  on  the  character  of  a 
near  relation  —  Your  Brother  visits  here  very 
frequently  of  late  ;  and  generally  under  some  pre- 
tence or  another,  stays  all  night  about  the  House 
—  We  really  begin  to  suspect  he  has  a  mind  to  rob 
us  ;  I  have  a  certain  piece  of  very  valuable  prop- 
erty, which  Mrs  S.  &  I  together  purchased  at  a 
very  dear  rate  many  years  ago,  and  which  no 
pecuniary  Consideration  would  induce  us  to  dis- 
pose of  —  Since  our  apprehensions  of  an  Inva- 
sion we  keep  this  Baggage  wrapped  up  very  tight 
carefully  in  Sheets  &  almost  always  under  Lock 
&  Keys  and  ready  to  be  removed  at  a  moments 
warning.  This  Baggage,  we  have  taken  notice, 
he  always  eyes,  and  narrowly  observes  wherever 


MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MR.    SMITH.  171 

we  deposit  it ;  so  that  we  have  now  all  the  reason 
in  the  world  to  suspect  he  is  meditating  some 
scheme  how  to  plunder  us  of  it  before  the  Enemy 
comes.  This  account  must  astonish  &  shock  you : 
For  Heavens  sake,  keep  it  secret  —  tho'  I  fear  it 
cannot  be  long  so,  for  my  neighbors  who  see  him 
so  often  lurking  abt  the  House  so  late  at  night, 
begin  to  express  their  suspicion  of  an  intended 
Robbery.  We  shall  all  now  be  on  the  watch  and 
as  the  Baggage  is  pretty  weighty,  he  can't,  unless 
assisted,  carry  it  off,  without  discovery. 
I  am  Dr  B 

Most  unfeign'dly  yours, 

W.  P.  S. 

E.  T.  23  July  1778. 

Will  you  allow  me  to  put  my  future 
Letters  to  Belcher,  under  cover  to  you  ?  ^ 

Mr.  Smith  conveys  to  Mr.  Boudinot  in  this 
humorous  manner  his  suspicion  that  the  latter's 
young  brother  is  paying  his  addresses  to  his 
daughter;  a  well-founded  suspicion  and  evidently 
agreeable  to  both  families,  as  the  young  couple 
were  subsequently  married. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    WM.    P.    SMITH,    ESQ. 

Philadelphia  Aug  —  15  — 1778 

My  dear  Sir 

Your  two  several  very  Friendly  &  obliging 
Favours  of  the  23^  July  &  9  Inst  came  safe  to 
hand,  the  last  I  received  at  Princeton,  since  which 

1  Family  letters. 


172  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

have  been  again  confined  with  a  return  of  my 
fever  but  hope  to  get  out  as  soon  as  the  present 
rainy  season  passes  over  —  I  am  so  confined  to 
Business  here  that  a  letter  from  a  Friend  is  truly 
valuable  as  it  is  a  very  agreeable  relaxation  to  the 
mind  at  the  same  time  that  it  affords  a  satisfac- 
tion that  is  hard  to  express  —  We  are  on  the  ten- 
ter Hooks  of  Anxious  Expectation  for  News  from 
Rhode  Island  —  our  hopes  are  raised  to  a  high 
Pitch  as  we  have  certain  Intelligence  that  Lord 
Howe  had  not  sailed  from  the  Hook  on  Sunday 
last  so  that  the  Count  de  Estang  cannot  be  inter- 
rupted in  the  least  —  From  the  last  accounts  we 
have  from  England  &  especially  from  a  publica- 
tion sent  us  by  a  Friend,  who  informs  that  it  was 
made  under  the  immediate  patronage  of  Lord 
North,  I  conclude  that  England  will  acknowledge 
&  settle  this  unhappy  dispute  ere  many  months 
—  I  have  conferred  with  Belcher  fully  on  the  sub- 
ject mentioned  in  your  letter  and  if  nothing  better 
turns  up  in  a  very  short  time  for  him,  will  en- 
deavour to  accomplish  what  you  propose  as  I 
think  it  highly  reasonable  — 

The  Ofiice  I  wrote  you  about  is  filled  up  and 
altho'  another  equally  advantageous  might  be  had, 
yet  as  it  would  require  your  personal  and  constant 
attendance  in  this  City,  I  think  it  will  not  answer 
for  the  reason  you  mention  —  and  I  am  clear  that 
there  is  a  Berth  in  our  own  State  awaiting  you 
that  you  will  fill  with  credit  and  reputation  and 
be  of  eminent  public  service  while  you  may  at 


REPLY  TO  WM.  PEARTREE  SMITH.      1 73 

the  same  time  enjoy  all  your  domestic  comfort  at 
Eliz-Town  in  which  you  know  I  am  personally  & 
greatly  interested. 

The  Express  that  arrived  from  the  commis- 
sioners brought  nothing  but  a  requisition  for 
permission  to  send  Transports  for  the  conven- 
tion Troops  &c  &c  — 

Being  really  and  truly  interested  in  your  wel- 
fare I  am  distressed  for  the  many  losses  you  have 
met  with  in  these  unhappy  Times,  and  the  only 
consolation  you  can  have  is  that  it  is  a  general 
evil  &  in  a  good  cause  but  when  these  misfortunes 
happen  from  other  means  &  in  some  measure 
arising  from  our  own  fault  and  do  not  answer  so 
valuable  purposes  they  are  the  more  distressing 
—  It  is  upon  this  account  that  I  condole  so  much 
now  with  you,  in  the  apprehension  of  your  pres- 
ent danger,  in  the  threatened  Loss  of  your  heavy 
Baggage  especially  as  it  is  your  all  of  this  kind  of 
property.  I  think  you  are  in  a  good  measure  to 
blame  —  It  becomes  you  without  delay  to  swear 
the  Peace  ag^  suspected  Person  and  even  if  neces- 
sary to  get  an  additional  Man  or  two  of  the  Militia 
to  keep  a  Town  watch  especially  in  the  Evening 
and  so  near  as  to  afford  the  necessary  assistance 
particularly  by  way  of  a  retrograde  movement  — 
Whenever  you  think  it  for  the  publick  advantage 
I  can  move  Congress  to  pass  some  spirited  resolu- 
tions agt  attempts  of  this  nature  if  not  to  make  it 
high  Treason  even  to  the  commission  of  Blood 
any  former  resolutions  notwithstanding  —  It  will 


174  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

give  me  great  pleasure  to  forward  your  letters 
to  Belcher  and  beg  that  you  will  always  enclose 
them  to  me  as  by  this  means  I  shall  hope  to  hear 
oftener  from  you.  You  must  excuse  my  scrawl 
as  I  write  in  pain  my  Breast  being  greatly  affected 
—  My  kindest  love  to  D"-  &  M^^  Smith  &  Miss 
Kitty 

and  believe  me  to  be  with  great  affection, 
Dear  Sir, 

Yours  sincerely 

Elias  Boudinot^ 

To  W"  P""  Smith  Esq' 

FROM    DR.    SCUDDER. 

[No  Date.] 

Dear  Sir, 

I  am  now  at  Head  Quarters,  and  am  much  dis- 
appointed, at  not  finding  you  here. 

Mrs  Boudinot  &  Daughter  were  w^ell  the  Day 
before  yesterday,  as  were  all  other  Friends  at 
Princeton.  M'  Mariner  presents  his  Compli- 
ments to  you  and  wishes  you  to  be  informed, 
that  he  with  a  Party  of  Monmouth  Militia  last 
Saturday  Night  passed  over  the  Long  Island,  and 
surprised  the  Tow^n  of  Flat  Bush  —  brought  off 
Major  Montorieff  and  Mr.  Theophilus  Bache  —  a 
continental  Cap^  w4io  was  a  Prisoner  there,  &  four 
Negroes,  without  any  Loss  on  his  Side,  having 
performed  the  whole  Movement  in  about  ten 
hours  —  The    Major   &    Mr.    Bache    are   at    M*"^ 

^  Family  letters. 


BASKINGRIDGE.  1 75 

Livingston's    in    Princeton,   &    really  look  silly 
enough. 

I  am  now  on  my  way  to  Congress,  and  hope 
the  Pleasure  of  seeing  you  there  as  soon  as  your 
present  important  Business  is  finished,  in  which  I 
wish  you  success  and  Dispatch  — 

I  hope  to  reach  York  To  morrow  Evening.  I 
must  not  omit  to  inform  you,  that  our  Legisla- 
ture have  passed  a  Resolution  That  all  Delegates 
representing  the  State  be  instructed  to  repair  imr 
mediately  to  Congress,  and  to  attend  their  Duty 
therein,  untill  they  shall  give  further  Direction  — 
I  am  Dear  Sir  in  great  Haste 
But  with  all  due  Respect, 

Yours  Affectionately, 

Nath   Scudder.^ 

Hon'''®  Elias  Boudinot  Esq'. 

At  the  expiration  of  the  term  of  1778-79, 
Mr.  Boudinot  joined  his  family  at  Basklngridge. 
With  other  friends  who  had  fled  from  the  enemy, 
they  formed  a  little  community  of  refugees  de- 
pendent upon  each  other  for  more  than  the  ordi- 
nary amenities  of  life.  One  darning-needle,  it 
is  told  by  the  descendants  of  General  Morton's 
family,  was  passed  from  house  to  house  ;  and  great 
was  the  perturbation  when  young  Master  Morton, 
in  carrying  it  from  one  matron  to  another,  lost 
it,  and  was  forced  with  shame  and  sorrow  to  an- 
nounce the  fact.  Mr.  Boudinot,  though  holding 
no  official  position  at  this  particular  juncture,  is 

1  Family  papers. 


176  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

still  active  in  the  patriot  cause.  In  the  confi- 
dence of  Washington,  he  is  corresponding  with 
him  and  earnestly  promoting  his  plans. 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO   ELIAS    BOUDINOT,    ESQ. 
BASKINRIDGE. 

Middle  Brook  Feby  28th  1779. 

Dear  Sir. 

I  had  not  the  pleasure  of  receiving  your  polite 
and  friendly  Letter  of  the  4th  January  till  within 
these  few  days,  and  of  course  had  no  opportunity 
of  acknowledging  it  sooner. 

I  find  myself  extremely  flattered  by  the  strain 
of  sentiment  in  your  Sis.ter's  Composition.  But 
request  it  as  a  favour  of  you  to  present  my  best 
respects  to  her,  and  assure  her,  that  how  ever  I 
may  feel  inferior  to  the  praise,  she  must  suffer  me 
to  admire  and  preserve  it  as  a  Mark  of  her  genius, 
though  not  of  my  merit. 

I  shall  be  glad  when  your  health  is  so  far  estab- 
lished as  to  admit  of  a  ride  to  Middle  Brook. 
And  if  Mrs  and  Miss  Boudinot  can  accompany 
you,  it  will  add  to  our  pleasure.  Mrs  Washington 
presents  her  compliments  and  wishes  for  the  event. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  &c. 

Go.  Washington.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Phil^  March  5th  1779 

My  dearest  Wife 

Not  a  syllable  have  I  heard  from  home  since 
you  left  me,  and  not  an  opportunity  has  offered 

^  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Washing- 
ton Papers,  vol.  i.  P,  p.  225. 


FOREIGN    NEWS.  I  77 

since  I  have  been  here,  to  let  you  hear  from  me  — 
I  write  this  with  an  expectation  to  go  to  Elizabeth 
Town,  as  no  shorter  route  can  be  had  at  present. 
I  left  Princeton  two  days  ago,  after  your  departure 
so  illy  mounted  that  with  difficulty  I  reached  Mr 
Wynkoops  that  night,  from  whence  I  returned 
the  horses  to  Princeton  and  came  to  this  Place 
in  Mr  Wynkoops  chair.  He  behaved  extremely 
genteel  to  me  and  I  staid  two  nights  &  a  day 
with  him  very  agreeably — Have  been  here  very 
closely  confined  at  writing  —  attempted  having 
a  clerk  but  luckily  after  writing  a  few  days  he 
wanted  money  and  I  found  that  he  charged  me 
70  dollars  for  about  four  days  work  on  which  I 
discharged  him  determined  to  go  through  with  it 
myself  —  I  have  been  distressed  on  your  ace* 
since  we  have  heard  of  the  Enemy  landing  at 
Elizabeth  Town.  We  heard  of  their  burning  Mr 
Smith's  Mr  Woodruff's  &  my  house  but  I  really 
did  not  believe  it  —  am  now  rejoiced  to  hear  of 
their  departure  — 

I  have  no  news  but  of  a  foreign  nature  to  tell 
you  —  The  Powers  of  Europe  are  all  in  our 
favour.  The  Burgomasters  of  Amsterdam  have 
acknowledged  our  Independency.  The  Court  of 
Spain,  is  beyond  a  doubt  on  our  side.  The  King 
of  the  Two  Sicilys  the  Court  of  Sweden  the  Bar- 
bary  Powers  are  also  declaring  for  us  —  The 
Congress  are  assured  that  on  the  British  Ambas- 
sador requiring  aid  of  the  Empress  of  Russia  she 
nobly  answered  that  she  would  never  stain  her 


178  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

glory,  by  sending  her  Troops  to  conquer  those 
whose  only  fault  was  fighting  for  Liberty  —  This 
conduct  it  is  said  is  owing  to  the  Interest  that 
Court  has  in  our  separation  from  England,  as  it 
will  increase  her  trade  exceedingly —  In  short  we 
seem  to  be  aided  from  every  quarter  except  from 
ourselves  —  but  alas  all  publick  virtue  is  flown  — 
The  depreciation  of  paper  money  here  is  beyond 
all  belief  —  I  dined  the  other  day  on  a  quarter  of 
Mutton  and  on  asking  what  it  cost  was  answered 
16  dollars  — .goods  in  general  are  20  for  one, 
many  30  for  one  —  Tell  Mrs  Hetfield  that  I  am 
asked  16  Dollars  for  a  main  spring  to  her  watch 

—  She  must  let  me  know  what  I  must  do — I 
hope  to  finish  here  in  two  weeks  if  I  have  luck  — 
Love  to  Susan  &  the  Family 

am  with  great  Affection 

Yours  sincerely 

E  BoUDINOT^ 

Writing  on  March  29,  1779,  from  Philadelphia, 
he  says :  — 

"  This  Town  is  increasing  in  Extravagance 
every  Day,  and  I  know  not  where  it  will  end  God 
only  can  prevent  it  in  our  Ruin.  Beef  is  15/  p  lb 
Butter  30/  —  8  Dollars  for  an  earthen  quart  Mug 

—  a  Lady  a  few  days  ago  gave  ^200  for  a  sett  of 
Tea  china,  and  every  thing  in  proportion  —  gauze 
3  Doll  pr.  yard  and  yet  I  never  saw  so  much 
gaiety  in  Dress  in  this  City  before.  The  common 
Dress  caps  of  the  Ladies  take  i|  yds  of  Gauze  — 

1  Family  letters. 


EXPENSE    OF    LIVING.  1 79 

"  They  have  got  mutton  to  10/  p.  lb  and  a  pr  of 
womens  shoes  at  25  &  30  Dollars  a  p,  Boots  to 
75  Dollars  —  I  was  obliged  to  hire  a  clerk  the 
other  day  &  I  gave  him  8  Dollars  p  day  and 
he  wrote  but  about  7  hours  in  the  day  and  yet  he 
grumbled  &  wanted  Ten  "  —  ^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  April  6th  1779 

My  dearest  Love 

An  opportunity  offering  by  Coll  Meade,  I  have 
the  Pleasure  of  writing  you  again  tho  I  am  denied 
that  of  hearing  from  you  —  It  is  now  going  on 
five  weeks  since  I  have  had  a  sins^le  line  from 
you  —  I  begin  to  fear  that  you  are  not  capable  of 
writing  or  I  should  certainly  have  had  a  letter 
before  this  by  some  means  or  other  — 

I  long  to  see  Baskinridge  and  am  arlxiously 
engaged  to  finish  here,  I  begin  to  have  hopes  of 
an  end  to  my  acc*s  and  to  have  them  finally  set- 
tled —  I  am  wearied  out  in  waiting  on  the  People 
of  Office  who  are  callous  to  the  requests  of  those 
attending  to  hasten  their  dismission  —  If  once  I 
get  clear  of  them,  it  will  be  my  fault  if  they  catch 
me  again  —  I  have  been  offered  10,000  Dollars  p 
ann  &  12  rations  p  day  with  three  Horses  to 
accept  of  an  office  that  would  oblige  me  to  stay  in 
this  City— What  say  you  to  it  —  As  to  my  own 
part  I  prefer  domestic  Happiness  with  peaceful 
obscurity  to  even  the  affluence  of  wealth  —  My 

1  Family  letters. 


l8o  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Family  Is  small  &  our  wants  few,  why  should  I 
embarrass  myself  beyond  my  depth,  for  the  sake 
of  what  I  cannot  enjoy — My  kind  love  to  all 
Friends  —  Susan  —  Polly  —  Julia  &  the  Family 
—  I  hope  to  see  you  next  week  at  all  events 
I  am  with  great  Affection  &  Esteem 
Your  faithful 

BoUDINOT  ^ 

Sugar  has  got  to  i  lo  p  c^ 
Raisins  8  Dollars  p  lb  Beef 
has  been  sold  for  2  dollars  p  lb. 
but  has  fallen  again. 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    ELIAS    BOUDINOT,    ESQ. 
BASKINRIDGE. 

Head  Q"^  Middle  Brook 

May  3rd,  1779. 

Dear  Sir, 

Many  Matters,  which  pressed  upon  me  while 
you  were  in  Camp,  prevented  my  consulting  you 
on  an  affair  I  have  a  good  deal  at  heart,  and 
which  I  wished  to  make  the  subject  of  a  personal, 
rather  than  an  epistolary  Conversation.  To  come 
to  the  point:  It  is  a  matter  of  great  Importance 
to  have  early  and  good  intelligence  of  the  Ene- 
my's strength  and  motions  and,  as  far  as  possible, 
designs,  and  to  obtain  them  through  different 
channels.     Do  you  think  it  practicable  to  come  at 

these  by  Means  of  Mr.  P d  ?     I  shall  not  press 

it  upon  him ;  but  you  must  be  sensible,  that  to 
obtain   intelligence  from    a  man  of  Observation 

1  Family  letters. 


MODE    OF    CONVEYING    SECRET    INTELLIGENCE.    l8l 

• 

near  the  Head  Quarters  of  an  Army,  from  whence 
all  orders  flow  and  everything  originates,  would 
be  a  most  desirable  thing.  The  person  rendering 
such  services  will  entitle  himself  not  only  to 
thanks,  but  reward  at  a  proper  time. 

If  Mr.  P d  is  inclined  to  engage  in  a  busi- 
ness of  this  kind,  I  shall  leave  it  to  you  and  him 
to  fix  upon  such  a  Mode  of  corresponding,  as  will 
convey  intelligence,  in  the  Most  Speedy,  safe  and 
efficacious  Manner  to  guard  against  possible  evils, 
your  correspondence  might  be  under  fictitious 
names,  by  numbers  (representing  Men  and  things) 
in  character  or  other  wise,  as  you  shall  agree.  It 
is  in  my  power,  I  believe,  to  procure  a  Liquid, 
which  nothing  but  a  counter  Liquor  (rubbed  over 
the  Paper  afterwards)  can  make  legible.  Fire, 
which  will  bring  lime  juice.  Milk,  and  other  things 
of  this  kind  to  light,  has  no  effect  upon  it.  A 
letter  upon  trivial  Matters  of  business,  written  in 
common  Ink,  may  be  filled  with  important  Intel- 
ligence which  cannot  be  discovered  without  the 
counter  part,  or  Liquid  here  mentioned. 

I  shall  add  no  more  on  this  subject.  I  have 
said  enough  for  you  to  found  a  negotiation  on ;  at 
least  to  hint  the  Matter  to  the  person  mentioned, 
for  Trial  of  his  willingness  to  engage  in  a  corre- 
spondence of  this  kind.  No  persons  but  you,  he, 
and  I,  and  such  as  he  shall  pitch  upon  to  convey 
the  intelligence  to  you,  will  be  privy  to  this  mat- 
ter. Your  Letters  to  me,  inclosing  his  accounts, 
may  be  under  an  outer  cover  with  the  common 


1 82  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

direction.  The  inner  cover  may  be  directed  on 
private  service,  which  will  prevent  any  of  My  Suit 
from  opening  it;  and  even  under  the  circum- 
stances and  caution  the  name  of  P d  may  be 

avoided. 

I  am  very  sincerely  and  Respectfully 
Dear  Sir,  &c. 

Go.  Washington.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS     EXCELLENCY    GEN^   WASHINGTON. 

E.  T.  Sunday  afternoon  4  "Clock 

Dear  Sir/ 

I  must  beg  your  Excellency's  excuse  from  par- 
ticularly answering  your  late  favour,  till  I  return 
home.  The  design  of  this  is  merely  to  acquaint 
you,  that  I  have  very  great  reason  to  believe  that 
the  design  of  the  Enemy  in  their  late  Embarka- 
tion is  to  go  along  the  Coast  of  Virginia  under 
the  Idea  of  Plundering  &c  but  really  to  make  a 
sudden  march  into  the  Country  &  rescue  Bur- 
goyne's  Troops  —  I  cannot  now  give  your  Excel- 
lency My  reason  for  this,  further  than  it  is  the 
Idea  of  People  of  Observation  in  the  city  —  They 
have  taken  with  them  a  quantity  of  spare  arms 
—  and  the  two  Goodrich's  —  This  tallys  with  the 
Letter  Communicated  to  me  at  Philadelphia,  of 
some  extraordinarv  Manoevre  in  ao^itation  and  of 
depending  on  the  Security  of  the  Americans  &^ 
&^  I  thouo^ht  it  best  to  communicate  this  Idea 
to  you  that  on  a  Comparison  of  Intelligence  the 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Washing- 
ton Papers,  vol.  i.  p.  268. 


r^QP       i    IPP 


LETTER    FROM    GENERAt    WASHINGTON.         1 83 

Truth  may  be  guessed  at  —  I  am  with  great  re- 
spect 

Your  Excellency's  Most  Obedt  &  Hble 

Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot. 
P.  S.  If  this  Intelligence  should  be  thought 
worth  Communicating  I  have  particular  reasons 
for  begging  that  the  medium  may  be  secreted  as 
it  would  lead  to  a  suspicion  that  might  prove  dis- 
agreeable.    This  is  all  the  Paper  I  can  get. 

His  Excellency  General  Washington. 
(Endorsed  in  Genl  W's  hand) 

From  Elias  Boudinot  Esq.  i6'h  May  1779^ 
Private 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    ELIAS     BOUDINOT,    ESQ.    BAS- 
KINRIDGE. 

Middle  Brook,  May  17th,  1779. 

Dear  Sir 

Your  favour  of  4  oClock  yesterday  afternoon 
came  to  my  hands  this  morning.  The  sugges- 
tions contained  in  it,  I  had  before  heard  from 
New  York,  but  thank  you  nevertheless  for  your 
attention,  and  communication  of  them. 

I  have  no  Idea  of  the  Convention  Troops  being 
rescued  by  the  detachment  from  New  York,  but, 
if  it  should  take  Post  at  the  nearest  navigation  to 
their  Cantonment,  it  would  Countenance  deser- 
tion, and  be  a  means  of  obtaining  many  of  them 
in  that  way.  I  shall  endeavor,  as  much  as  possi- 
ble, to  prevent  this. 

1  Letters  to  Washington,  vol.  xxxii.  p.  325,  MSS.   Archives,  Depart- 
ment of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


184  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

If  the  Gentleman,  whose  name  I  mentioned  to 
you  in  my  last,  is  incHned  to  undertake  that 
business,  and  should  be  in  want  of  a  little  Specie 
for  the  purposes  there  expressed,  I  will  spare 
part  of  my  small  stock.  To  know  the  real 
strength  and  situation  of  the  enemy,  their  detach- 
ments, reinforcements,  designs  expectations,  &c. 
is  essential.  Equally  important  may  it  be,  to 
know  frequently,  what  Ships  of  War  and  other 
Armed  Vessels  are  in  the  Harbour  of  New  York. 

The  inclosed  was  brought  to  me  by  General 
Thompson.  If  Mr.  Pintard  will  inquire  into  the 
truth  of  the  representations  and  give  or  destroy 
the  pass,  as  facts  may  appear,  I  shall  be  obliged 
to  him. 

I  am,  Dear  Sir,  Your  Mo.  obedient  servant 

Go.  Washington.-^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS   EXCELLENCY     GEN^   WASHINGTON. 

E.  T.  Tuesday  Morning. 

Dear  Sir/ 

Gen^  Maxwell  just  setting  off  for  Camp,  I  im- 
prove the  opportunity,  to  acknowledge  the  receipt 
of  your  Excellency's  Letter  of  yesterday,  and  to 
assure  you  that  I  shall  attempt  every  prudent 
measure  in  my  power  to  accomplish  your  Wishes 
and  will  endeavour  to  see  your  Excellency  on  the 
subject,  when  any  Plan  is  formed  — 

From  a  calculation  of  a  Gentleman  whose 
means  of  Knowledge  are  great,  there  are  now  at 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,   D.    C,    Wash- 
ington Papers,  vol.  i.  p.  284. 


enemy's  fleet.  185 

New  York  Long  Island  and  Staten  Island  about 
7000  men  —  Lord  Rawden's  regiment  of  new 
raised  Irishmen  it  is  said,  sailed  for  Georgia  since 
the  Capture  of  the  Jason  &c  under  Convoy  of  a 
20  Gun  ship.  The  fleet  bound  to  Chesapeak, 
have  on  Board  about  2500  men  Twelve  hundred 
of  which  are  of  the  Guards  General  Matthews 
Commands  —  There  are  at  New  York  five  frig- 
ates besides  privateers,  but  Admiral  Arbuthnot 
with  5  or  6  Capital  Ships  are  said  to  be  expected, 
with  Troops  —  The  general  opinion  in  the  City 
is,  that  their  dependance  is  now  on  the  depre- 
ciation of  our  Money  and  the  disaffection  of 
our  People  —  Therefore  that  their  Business  now 
is  to  distress  us  by  taking  Possession  of  Georgia 
&  Carolina  in  order  to  deprive  us  of  foreign  remit- 
tances in  Indigo  &  rice,  and  to  carry  on  a  kind  of 
plundering  War  along  the  Coast,  to  prevent  a 
foreign  Trade  —  That  the  most  profound  Secrecy 
is  aimed  at,  by  the  Principals  in  the  City,  and  an 
amazing  increase  of  Jealousy  with  regard  to  every 
person  who  is  not  in  the  Cabinet  —  There  also 
appears  (intermixed  with  the  most  bitter  enmity) 
an  anxious  desire  in  some  principal  People,  to  be 
assured,  whether  Congress  mean  to  insist  on  the 
Independency  of  all  America,  or  only  the  thirteen 
United  States  — 

I  hope  your  Excellency  will  observe,  that  from 
Time  to  Time,  I  give  you  the  Accounts  just  as  I 
receive  them  for  your  Excellency's  consideration, 
without  undertaking  to  Judge  of  the  Propriety  — 


1 86  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Mrs  Boudlnot  joins  me  in  the  most  respectful 
Compliments  to  Mrs  Washington 
And  am  with  great  regard 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obed^  Hble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot. 

His  Excellency  General  Washington 
(Endorsed  in  Gen'  W's  hand) 

From  Elias  Boudinot  Esq  i8th  May  1779. 1 
Private 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    GENERAL    WASH- 
INGTON. 

Baskinridge  May  30th  1780 

Dear  Sir  / 

It  would  have  given  me  great  Pleasure  to  have 
been  favoured  with  your  Company  on  Thursday, 
but  am  fully  convinced  of  the  necessity  of  Busi- 
ness being  attended  to  ;  when  ever  your  Excel- 
lency can  spare  a  day  I  shall  think  myself  very 
happy  in  being  honored  by  a  visit. 

The  Person  referred  to  in  your  Postscript  is  a 
Major  Ward  of  the  New  Levies,  who  has  made 
very  full  offers  of  this  kind,  on  condition  of  his 
future  acceptance  with  our  Government.  I  pro- 
pose applying  to  the  Gov''  &  Council  for  this 
Purpose,  without  mentioning  Names,  if  your  Ex- 
cellency thinks  it  proper  —  His  situation  and 
advantages  for  Communication  exceed  any  Per- 
son's that  I  know  of  —  It  is  some  time  since  I 
had  any  communication  with  him,  but  then  was 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington.    Letters  to  Wash- 
ington, vol.  xxxii.  p.  344. 


REV.    JAMES    CALDWELL.  1 87 

anxiously  desirous  of  being  employed  in  any  man- 
ner so  as  to  make  up  with  his  country. 

Mrs  Boudinot  &  Miss  Susan  join  me  in  the 
most  respectful  compliments 

And  have  the  Honor  to  be  Dr  Sir 

Your  most  Obdt  Hble  Serv* 

(Addressed)  ElIAS  BoUDINOT.^ 

His  Excellency  Genl.  Washington. 
(Endorsed  in  Gen^  W's  hand) 
Head  Quarters 
From  Elias  Boudinot  Esq"" 
30th  May  I'j^o  private 

Rev.  James  Caldwell,  the  pastor  of  the  First 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Elizabethtown,  New 
Jersey,  was  distinguished  for  his  zeal  as  a  patriot 
as  well  as  his  piety.  He  graduated  from  Prince- 
ton College,  and  was  licensed  to  preach  at  an 
early  age.  Descending  from  Huguenot  ancestors, 
he  inherited  a  horror  of  tyranny,  and  threw  himself 
heart  and  soul  into  the  American  cause.  He  was 
elected  chaplain  of  those  portions  of  the  army 
that  successively  occupied  New  Jersey.  His  en- 
ergy and  skill  caused  him  to  be  held  In  high  esteem 
by  Washington,  and  at  the  same  time  made  him 
a  conspicuous  mark  for  the  enemy.  His  elo- 
quence and  patriotic  appeals  served  to  stimulate 
the  patriots ;  not  only  did  he  care  for  their  spirit- 
ual welfare,  but  he  also  served  as  commissary. 
The  church  in  which  he  preached  was  used  as  a 
military  hospital ;    its  steeple  was  a  watch-tower, 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  vol.  xxxvii.  p.  333. 


1 88  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

and  its  bell  sounded  the  note  of  warning  on  the 
approach  of  the  enemy  in  their  raids  from  New 
York  and  Staten  Island.  On  the  25th  of  July, 
1780,  the  church  was  fired,  and  on  the  25th  of  the 
following  June,  this  brave  man  was  called  upon  to 
mourn  the  loss  of  his  wife,  cruelly  and  wantonly 
shot  while  praying  with  her  children  in  a  retired 
room,  whither  she  had  taken  them  for  safety. 
The  building  was  burned,  and  the  little  village  of 
Connecticut  Farms  laid  in  ashes.  The  family 
had  sought  refuge  in  this  place,  a  distance  of 
about  four  miles  from  Elizabethtown.  On  the 
24th  of  November  following,  Mr.  Caldwell  himself 
was  shot  at  Elizabethtown  Point,  where  he  had 
gone  for  a  young  lady  arriving  from  New  York 
under  a  flag  of  truce.  Mrs.  Caldwell  was  Han- 
nah Ogden,  of  Newark,  New  Jersey,  highly  es- 
teemed for  her  goodness  and  fortitude.  They 
left  a  large  family  of  children. 

"  Mr.  Caldwell  was  shot  late  on  Saturday  after- 
noon, and  many  of  the  people  were  ignorant  of 
the  tragical  deed  until  they  came  to  church  on 
the  Sabbath.  And  instead  of  sitting  wath  delight 
under  his  instructions,  there  was  a  loud  cry  of 
wailing  over  his  melancholy  end.  On  the  follow- 
ing Tuesday  there  was  a  vast  concourse  assembled 
to  convey  his  remains  to  the  tomb.  After  the 
services  were  ended,  the  corpse  was  placed  where 
all  might  take  a  last  view  of  their  murdered  pas- 
tor.    Before  the  closing  of  the  coffin,  Dr.^  Elias 

1  Doctor  of  Laws. 


CHILDREN    CARED    FOR.  1 89 

Boudinot  came  forward  leading  a  group  of  nine 
orphan  children,  and  placing  them  around  the 
bier  of  their  parent,  made  an  address  of  touching 
eloquence  to  the  multitude  in  their  behalf.  It  was 
an  hour  of  deep  and  powerful  emotion.  The 
procession  slowly  moved  to  the  grave,  weeping  as 
they  went,  and  as  they  lifted  their  streaming  eyes 
to  Heaven,  they  besought  the  blessing  of  God 
upon  the  fatherless  &  motherless  children  &  His 
kind  interference  to  crown  with  success  their 
efforts  against  their  oppressors.  Their  prayers 
were  answered  in  both  cases,  for  their  cause 
triumphed,  &  the  children  found  friends  &  succor, 
&  all  became  worthy  &  distinguished  men  & 
women.  One  was  taken  by  Lafayette  to  France 
&  educated,  was  a  distinguished  philanthropist  & 
editor  of  one  of  the  first  religious  periodicals  of 
the  country.  James  B.  a  Judge  of  the  Courts  of 
Glouster  Co.  Elias  B.  was  for  some  years  clerk  of 
the  Supreme  Court  of  the  United  States  and 
because  of  his  distinguished  efforts  in  the  cause 
of  Colonization  one  of  the  towns  in  Liberia  in 
Africa  is  called  Caldwell  in  honor  of  him."  ^ 

A  story  is  told  of  Mr.  Caldwell's  defense  of  his 
church  with  our  troops.  When,  attacked  by  the 
British,  their  cartridges  gave  out,  the  plucky  par- 
son seized  the  hymn-books,  and  carrying  them 
to  the  soldiers,  cried,  "  Give  them  Watts,  boys, 
give  them  Watts  !  " 

1  New  Jersey  Historical  Collections. 


IQO  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    THE   HON.    MAJOR-GEN^    PHILLIPS. 

Eliz^°  Town  Sept :  23'^  1780 

Sir 

Suffer  me  to  apologize,  for  giving  you  the 
Trouble  of  this  application,  on  acc^  of  my  being 
solely  &  personally  interested  in  the  Consequences. 
While  I  acted  in  the  Depart^  of  Com^  Gen^  of 
Pris'^  a  flag  Boat  was  taken  from  this  Creek  by  a 
party  of  Refugees  —  Another  was  absolutely  ne- 
cessary, as  I  had  undertaken  to  pay  a  Considerable 
Debt  to  you,  in  flour  &c  I  sent  to  Genl  Campbell 
on  Staten  Island,  who  agreed  with  me,  that  on 
giving  my  honor  that  she  should  not  be  used  for 
any  other  purpose,  my  Boat  should  thereafter  be 
safe  under  all  Circumstances.  In  Consequence 
thereof  I  provided  another  Boat,  my  own  Private 
Property,  and  for  which  I  gave  ^400  in  the  Spring 
1777  and  depending  on  the  Faith  Pledged  for  her 
Security  left  her  in  the  Service  on  my  leaving  the 
Department  —  When  Gen^  Knyphausen  Came 
lately  over  here  this  Boat  was  taken  out  of  the 
Creek  &  carried  to  the  Point  —  Major  Adams 
immediately  waited  on  Gen^  Knyphausen  &  ac- 
quainted him  with  the  agreement.  Cap  Beck- 
with  brought  him  a  verbal  Answer,  that  when  the 
General  went  away  the  Boat  should  be  delivered 
to  Major  Adams  in  safety  —  When  the  Gen^  went 
away,  the  Boat  was  dismasted,  her  rigging  & 
sails  carried  off  &  her  Hull  skuttled  &  sunk  so 
that  I  met  with  a  total  loss,  contrary  to  the 
faith  pledged  by  Genl  Campbell  and  for  which  I 


FLAG    BOAT.  I9I 

think  on  every  Consideration,  I  ought  to  be  reim- 
bursed. 

Your  kind  Influence  in  obtaining  me  an  An- 
swer on  this  subject  from  the  proper  Officer  with 
you,  shall  always  be  gratefully  acknowledged  by 

Your  Hbl  Servt 

Elias  Boudinot^ 

The  Honb  Major  Geni  Phillips. 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


CHAPTER   XL 

Capture  of  Andre.  —  Silas  Deane.  —  To  General  Washington  from  Bask- 
ingridge.  —  Sends  express.  —  Revolt  of  Pennsylvania  line.  —  His  daugh- 
ter goes  to  Philadelphia.  —  Letters  to  her.  —  Mrs.  Rush  to  Mrs.  Boudi- 
not.  —  Elected  to  Congress.  —  Letter  to  Hon.  John  Stevens.  —  To 
Doctor  Scudder.  —  To  General  Washington.  —  Information  regarding 
shipping  at  New  York.  —  Mrs.  Washington's  illness. 

In  September  of  this  year  occurred  that  mourn- 
ful episode  in  the  history  of  the  war,  the  capture 
of  Major  Andre  and  the  undying  disgrace  of  the 
treason  of  Arnold.  The  following  is  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot's  account  of  the  taking  of  Major  Andre. 

"  Major  Andre,  who  was  Adjutant  General  of 
the  British  Army  having  entered  into  a  corre- 
spondence with  General  Benedict  Arnold,  who 
then  commanded  the  important  Post  of  West 
Point  on  the  North  River  which  was  estimated  as 
the  Key  of  the  State  of  New  York,  and  indeed 
all  the  upper  country,  in  which  great  part  of  the 
New  England  States  were  also  greatly  interested ; 
soon  ripened  it  into  an  actual  communication 
for  delivering  up  that  Post  to  the  British  on 
Terms  of  personal  Emolument  to  Arnold.  The 
fear  of  detection,  led  the  American  General  to 
propose  a  personal  meeting  on  the  shore  of  the 
North  River  at  some  distance  below  West  Point 
and  without  the  out-posts,  that  matters  might 
be  finally  settled,  and  the  Treason  be  compleated. 
Andre  being  greatly  elated  with  his  success,  en- 


MAJOR    ANDR^.  1 93 

tered  warmly  into  the  measure  and  General 
Clinton,  the  Commander-in-Chief  of  the  British 
Army,  received  the  proposal  with  great  Expecta- 
tion, and  immediately  provided  Andre  (to  whom 
he  was  much  attached  and  had  made  one  of  his 
particular  confidants)  with  a  20  gun  ship  to  go 
up  the  River  as  if  to  command  that  part  of  the 
River.  In  the  evening  the  ship  came  to  anchor, 
and  after  night,  Andre  was  landed  privately  on 
the  main  land,  where  he  met  Arnold,  and  spent 
some  time  in  planning  the  whole  business,  and 
receiving  from  him  Returns  of  the  American 
Army,  their  different  intended  positions.  Provi- 
sions, force.  Military  stores,  &c.  &c.  with  the 
particulars  of  the  intended  proceedings  and  as 
General  Washington  the  American  Commander- 
in-Chief  had  a  few  days  before,  gone  into  Connec- 
ticut and  was  to  return  in  a  day  or  two  and  to 
dine  with  Arnold,  it  was  added  to  the  rest  of  this 
iniquitous  business,  to  fix  upon  that  day  for  the 
nefarious  act  and  to  seize  General  Washington 
at  the  same  time.  The  joy  that  Andre  felt  on  so 
glorious  a  prospect  of  establishing  his  fame  and 
aggrandizing  his  character  and  fortune,  delayed 
so  long  that  (from  the  report  of  the  boats  crew) 
he  could  not  with  safety  attempt  to  return  on 
board  the  ship.  Arnold  prevailed  upon  him  to 
go  to  a  Mr.  Smith's  a  gentle  farmer  in  the  neigh- 
borhood whom  he  could  trust  with  the  secret,  and 
after  changing  his  uniform  for  a  plain  suit  of 
cloathes  go  with  him  to  head  quarters  and  pass 


194  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

for  an  American  of  his  acquaintance  and  in  the 
morning  go  by  land  to  New  York,  for  which,  he 
would  give  him  a  sufficient  passport.  To  this 
Andre  was  very  averse  but  being  so  infatuated 
by  his  Success  as  to  lose  the  exercise  of  his 
natural  good  sense  and  prudence,  or  rather  a  kind 
and  gracious  Providence  overruled  this  wicked 
and  infernal  Treason,  so  as  to  spare  the  effusion 
of  human  blood  and  produce  the  political  salva- 
tion of  America.  The  next  morning  Andre  and 
Arnold  appeared  together  as  old  friends  and  such 
was  their  conduct  in  viewing  the  works  &c.  &c. 
as  to  create  some  jealousy  in  the  Officers  round 
the  General.  A  horse  being  furnished  by  the 
Quarter  Master  General,  Andre  set  off  with  the 
General's  Passport  to  pass  the  out  Lines.  It 
happened  luckily  for  America,  that  both  the 
Americans  and  English  had  along  the  Lines, 
Parties  denominated  by  the  upper  and  the  lower 
—  Andre  had  passed  the  American  out  posts, 
and  finding  himself  as  he  thought,  out  of  Danger, 
when  in  a  deep  reverie  in  the  contemplation  of 
his  future  Glory,  he  came  to  the  Cross  Roads 
one  leading  to  New  York,  the  other  to  Tarry 
Town  on  the  North  River.  It  so  providently 
happened  that  the  Horse  on  w^hich  he  rode  had 
been  bred  at  Tarry  Town,  Andre  lost  In  Thought 
did  not  attend  either  to  his  horse  or  the  road,  and 
the  Horse  naturally  took  the  road  he  had  been 
used  to,  and  Andre  soon  found  himself  challenged 
by  a  sentinel.      He  answered  and  demanded  to 


MAJOR    ANDR^.  1 95 

know  which  party  they  belonged  to,  it  was  replied 
the  upper.  Taking  it  for  granted  that  it  was  the 
British,  upper.  Party,  knowing  that  he  had  passed 
the  American  out  posts,  neglected  offering  his 
Passport,  but  immediately  said  that  he  was  a 
british  Officer  and  desired  to  be  taken  into  their 
Post.  Three  Militia  Soldiers  immediately  sur- 
rounded him,  and  ordered  him  to  dismount,  as 
they  did  not  know  that  he  was  a  british  Officer. 
He  assured  them  that  he  was  and  by  taking  him 
into  their  Officers  they  would  know  it  to  be  true, 
and  he  would  reward  them  for  it.  On  their 
doubting,  he  pulled  out  a  gold  watch  and  said 
by  that  they  might  know  he  was  not  a  common 
man.  They  then  told  him,  if  that  was  the  case, 
he  was  their  Prisoner  for  they  w^ere  Americans 
and  therefore  insisted  on  searching  him.  Andre 
finding  himself  in  this  disagreeable  predicament 
began  to  beg,  and  assuring  them  that  he  was  only 
a  citizen  of  New  York  who  had  important  family 
business  in  the  country,  had  gone  to  finish  it,  and 
was  returning.  That  his  capture  would  be  of  no 
service  to  them,  but  would  be  a  great  injury  to 
him,  and  if  they  would  release  him  he  would  en- 
gage to  return  them,  safely  delivered  in  any  pri- 
vate place  on  the  Lines  they  should  name,  any 
reasonable  quantity  of  british  Gold  they  should 
desire.  They  answered,  you  a  british  Officer  and 
not  a  common  man,  surely  you  could  do  more 
than  this  for  your  Liberty,  we  are  poor  Militia 
Soldiers  and  you  a  great  Officer.      Andre  then 


196  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

took  out  his  watch  and  offered  that  into  the  Bar- 
gain. They  then  repeated  that  his  Hberty  was 
worth  more  than  a  gold  Watch  and  if  he  were  a 
british  OfHcer  he  could  give  more  still.  He  then 
pulled  out  a  purse  of  gold  and  offered  them  both. 
They  then  told  him  he  must  be  a  fool,  do  you  not 
see  that  you  and  your  watch  and  your  money  are 
all  in  our  power,  as  we  are  Americans,  and  all 
that  you  are  worth  would  not  tempt  us  to  release 
you,  therefore  immediately  submit  to  be  searched, 
accordingly  he  turned  out  his  Pockets  —  finding 
nothing  material,  they  ordered  him  to  pull  off  his 
boots.  He  pulled  off  one,  but  said  he  would  go 
no  further  and  refused  to  pull  off  the  other;  on 
which  they  tripped  up  his  Heels  and  on  pulling 
off  his  Boot,  out  came  all  his  Papers.  They  im- 
mediately carried  him  into  their  Post  and  deliv- 
ered him  with  all  the  papers  to  their  Officer  Lt. 
Col.  Jameson.  This  Conduct  in  these  three  men, 
as  the  Militia  being  generally  of  low  Characters 
and  not  very  famous  for  their  strict  attention  to 
the  property  of  the  Inhabitants  on  the  Lines,  cer- 
tainly discovered  an  exception  to  the  general  rule. 
The  Officer  was  thunderstruck,  on  finding  the 
Papers  in  the  hand  writing  of  General  Arnold, 
and  that  the  plan  was  to  deliver  up  the  Fort  with 
General  Washington.  While  at  dinner  Andre 
said  his  name  was  Anderson.  Jameson's  positive 
orders  as  commanding  this  out  Post,  was  to  give 
instant  notice  to  General  Arnold  of  anything  that 
should  turn   up  of  an  extraordinary  nature  and 


MAJOR    ANDR^.  1 97 

had  light  horse  stationed  with  him  for  the  pur- 
pose. What  to  do  at  first,  he  did  not  know,  but 
calling  a  soldier  he  put  much  confidence  in  gave 
him  a  letter  to  General  Arnold,  acquainting  him 
with  the  out  lines  of  the  capture  of  a  Mr.  Ander- 
son going  into  New  York,  and  sent  it  off  accord- 
ing to  the  letter  of  his  orders,  but  gave  secret 
orders  to  the  soldier  to  lame  his  Horse  by  the 
way,  and  be  detained  by  it  for  24  hours.  He 
then  sent  another  off  to  ride  Post  and  meet  Gen- 
eral Washington  on  his  return  from  Connecticut 
with  the  papers  found  on  Andre.  The  horseman 
took  the  Road  General  Washington  went,  not 
knowing  that  he  made  it  a  Rule  never  to  go  and 
return  by  the  same  Road.  By  this  means  he 
missed  the  General  but  heard  of  his  return  at  a 
cross  road.  And  the  horseman  sent  to  Arnold 
arrived  at  General  Arnold's  quarters  a  short  time 
before  General  Washington,  as  soon  as  Arnold 
received  the  letter,  he  sprang  out  of  his  Room 
just  looked  into  the  room  where  his  Wife  was,  and 
told  her  that  he  must  bid  her  farewell  forever, 
and  ran  down  to  the  Fort  and  got  on  board  his 
Barge  and  ordered  the  Bargemen  to  row  him 
down  the  River.  General  Washington  arrived 
soon  after  and  on  enquiring  at  Arnold's  quarters 
for  the  General,  was  told  that  he  had  just  gone  to 
the  Fort.  General  Washington  rode  immediately 
down,  and  being  put  over  to  the  Fort  he  found 
that  the  General  was  not  there  but  the  Officer  of 
the  Day,  attended  him  round  the  Works.     Arnold 


198  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

not  appearing  General  Washington  expressed 
some  resentment  at  his  not  attending  him  and 
suddenly  returned  to  his  Horse,  he  was  scarcely 
mounted  when  the  Horseman  appeared  with  the 
Papers  taken  on  Andre.  As  soon  as  he  had  read 
the  letter  and  cast  his  Eye  over  the  Papers,  he 
put  Spur  to  his  horse  and  rode  to  Arnold's  Door 
and  called  out  his  Aid  de  Camp,  and  drawing  his 
Pistol  from  his  Holster,  solemnly  declared  he 
would  blow  his  brains  out,  if  he  did  not  instantly 
tell  him  where  Arnold  was.  The  extreme  friQ:ht 
of  the  Aid  and  his  whole  appearance  convinced 
the  General  of  his  innocence,  as  he  could  tell  him 
no  more  than  that  on  receiving  a  horseman  from 
an  out  Post,  he  had  in  great  terror  left  the  House 
and  gone  alone  to  the  Fort.  The  General  in- 
stantly ordered  Col.  Hamilton  to  ride  post  to  the 
Fort  at  Verplanks  Point  opposite  Stony  Point 
and  order  the  Fort  to  fire  on  the  Barge,  taking  it 
for  granted  that  he  was  gone  down  the  River. 
Hamilton  arrived  just  as  the  Fort  was  paying  the 
usual  compliment  to  the  General's  Barge,  Hamil- 
ton instantly  pointed  the  guns  and  fired  on  the 
Barge.  Arnold  rose  and  with  a  pistol  in  each 
hand,  swore  he  would  put  the  first  man  to  death 
who  should  stop  his  oar  and  soon  passed  out  of 
reach  of  the  Fort.  Andre  was  sent  to  head 
quarters  and  put  under  the  care  of  a  subaltern 
ofiicer  and  a  strong  guard.  In  the  night  Andre 
acknowledged  to  the  officer  that  he  was  Adjutant 
General  of  the  British  Army,  that  he  found  it  in 


MAJOR    ANDRjfi  1 99 

vain  to  cover  himself  by  a  fictitious  Name,  and 
therefore  should  appear  in  his  real  character. 
The  ofhcer  was  so  alarmed  that  he  slept  not  a 
moment,  but  in  the  morning  communicated  the 
intelligence  to  Head  Quarters.  Col.  Hamilton 
who  had  seen  Andre  was  sent  to  him,  and  knew 
him  to  be  the  man.  General  Washington  out  of 
respect  to  his  character  instead  of  a  more  sum- 
mary proceeding  called  a  council  of  General 
Officers  of  whom  Lafayette  and  Steuben  were 
two,  who  were  to  inquire  into  the  facts  and  the 
crime  of  the  Prisoner.  Andre  finding  himself 
unexpectedly  treated  with  so  much  propriety  and 
kindness,  confessed  every  fact  and  appeared  only 
solicitous  to  free  himself  from  any  suspicion  of 
being  a  Spy  or  having  voluntarily  acted  unbecom- 
ing his  Character.  The  council  found  him  guilty 
and  that  he  was  worthy  of  death,  his  Execution 
was  determined  on,  and  the  day  fixed.  But  on  a 
letter  from  General  Clinton,  he  was  reprieved  for 
a  few  days.  The  news  of  Andre's  capture  greatly 
alarmed  and  affected  the  Army  and  Andre's  fate 
was  sincerely  deplored,  and  some  compassionate 
minds  were  ready  to  wish  for  his  pardon  but  as 
soon  as  the  reprieve  was  known,  and  it  was  sug- 
gested by  some  disconcerted  persons,  that  this 
reprieve  was  preparatory  to  a  pardon  and  dis- 
charge, but  a  universal  alarm  took  place.  The 
officers  generally  declared  that  if  they  were  not 
to  be  protected  agt  such  traitorous  Conduct,  it 
was  time  to  leave  the  Army,  that  if  they  were  to 


200  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

be  exposed  to  external  Spys  and  internal  machi- 
nations and  no  punishment  inflicted  on  those  who 
were  taken  and  proved  guilty,  there  would  be  no 
safety  in  their  camps  and  resignation  was  their 
only  protection.  Tho'  these  were  their  senti- 
ments they  were  only  murmured  from  Tent  to 
Tent,  a  few  days  convinced  them  that  they  had  a 
Commander  in  Chief,  who  knew  how  to  make  his 
compassion  for  the  unfortunate  and  his  duty  to 
those  who  depended  upon  him  for  protection 
to  harmonize  and  influence  his  Conduct.  He 
treated  Major  Andre  with  the  greatest  tenderness, 
while  he  carried  the  sentence  of  the  Council  into 
strict  Execution  according  to  the  Laws  of  War. 
At  New  York  when  the  first  account  of  Andre's 
capture  and  condemnation  arrived,  the  Officers 
and  Citizens  laughed  at  the  idea  that  the  Rebels 
would  dare  to  execute  the  Adjutant  General  of 
the  British  Army;  but  if  it  should  take  place, 
that  Vengeance  on  every  Rebel  should  be  taken 
seven  fold.  But  when  it  was  known  that  Andre 
was  no  more  General  Clinton  shut  himself  up  for 
3  days  and  every  one  at  the  Coffee  House  and 
the  public  places  hung  their  heads,  and  scarcely 
an  observation  relative  to  it  escaped  their  lips. 
Arnold  was  made  a  Brigadier  General,  and  tho' 
great  expectations  were  formed  of  his  Invitation 
to  the  American  Soldiers  and  Citizens  to  join 
him  against  the  Rebellion  of  their  Country,  it  is 
generally  believed  that  scarcely  a  soldier  ever  de- 
serted or  a  Citizen  joined  him.     He  lived  despised 


Arnold's  treason.  201 

and  disregarded  and  died  unlamented  and  unno- 
ticed. Thus  having  received  the  general  reward 
of  a  Traitor  to  his  Country."  ^ 

As  to  Arnold's  treason,  Marshall,  in  his  "  Life 
of  Washington,"  gives  the  important  facts,  but  in 
a  more  general  way,  and  with  less  detail  than 
Irving;  but  his  details  differ  from  Irving's,  who 
in  a  note  refers  to  Sparks  as  his  source  of  many 
particulars.  Marshall  states  that  Arnold  and 
Andre  remained  together  all  of  the  day  after  their 
night's  conference  at  Smith's  house.  Stedman, 
in  his  "  American  War,"  says  the  same  thing. 
Here  is  Washington's  own  account  of  what  hap- 
pened after  he  came  upon  the  scene,  Mr.  Boudi- 
not's  in  no  way  differing  from  the  main  facts,  but 
rendered  interesting  by  the  filling  in  of  details. 

FROM    RICHARD    RUSH's   "WASHINGTON    IN    DOMESTIC 
LIFE." 

The  copy  from  Mr.  Lear's  Diary,  in  which  is 
recorded  this  interesting  dinner-table  narrative :  — 

Mount  Vernon, 
Monday,  October  23rd,  1786. 

"  Mr.  Drayton  and  Mr.  Izard  here  all  day. 
After  dinner  General  Washington  was,  in  the 
course  of  conversation,  led  to  speak  of  Arnold's 
treachery  when  he  gave  the  following  account 
;  .  .  on  my  return  I  met  the  Chevalier  Luzerne 
towards  evening  within  about  15  miles  of  West 
Point  (on  his  way  to  join   the   Count  at  Rhode 

A  Reminiscences^  Elias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


202  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

Island)  which  I  intended  to  reach  that  night,  but 
he  insisted  upon  turning  back  with  me  to  the 
next  pubUc  house;  where,  in  pohteness  to  him  I 
could  not  but  stay  all  night,  determining,  how- 
ever, to  get  to  West  Point  to  breakfast  very  early. 
I  sent  off  my  baggage  and  desired  Colonel  Ham- 
ilton to  go  forward  and  inform  General  Arnold, 
that  I  would  breakfast  with  him.  Soon  after  he 
arrived  at  Arnold's  quarters  a  letter  was  delivered 
to  Arnold  which  threw  him  into  the  greatest  con- 
fusion. He  told  Colonel  Hamilton  that  some- 
thing required  his  immediate  attention  at  the 
garrison  which  was  on  the  opposite  side  of  the 
river  to  his  quarters ;  and  immediately  ordered  a 
horse,  to  take  him  to  the  river;  and  the  barge, 
which  he  kept  to  cross,  to  be  ready  and  desired 
Major  Franks,  his  aid,  to  inform  me  when  I 
arrived,  that  he  was  gone  over  the  river  and  would 
return  immediately.  When  I  got  to  his  quar- 
ters and  did  not  find  him  there  I  desired  Major 
Franks  to  order  me  some  breakfast;  and  as  I 
intended  to  visit  the  fortifications  I  would  see 
General  Arnold  there.  After  I  had  breakfasted, 
I  went  over  the  river  and  inquiring  for  Arnold, 
the  commanding  ofBcer  told  me  that  he  had  not 
been  there.  I  likewise  inquired  at  the  several 
redoubts,  but  no  one  could  give  me  any  informa- 
tion where  he  was,  .  .  .  When  I  returned  to  Ar- 
nold's quarters  about  two  hours  after  and  told 
Colonel  Hamilton  that  I  had  not  seen  him,  he 
gave  me  a  packet  from  Col.  Jameson  which  imme- 


SILAS    DEANE.  2O3 

diately  brought  the  matter  to  light.  I  ordered 
Colonel  Hamilton  to  mount  his  horse  and  pro- 
ceed with  the  greatest  dispatch  to  a  post  on  the 
river  about  eight  miles  below  in  order  to  stop  the 
barge  if  she  had  not  passed  —  but  it  was  too 
late." 

According  to  the  time  of  Andre's  breakfasting 
at  Crompond,  daybreak  of  the  23d,  as  given  by 
Irving,  and  his  capture  before  noon  of  that  day, 
he  must  with  his  captors  have  arrived  early  in 
the  afternoon  at  North  Castle,  allowing  for  the 
midday  meal  mentioned  at  the  farmhouse  ;  con- 
sequently, the  time  which  elapsed  between  his 
arrival  and  Arnold's  receiving  the  dispatches  from 
Jameson  on  the  morning  of  the  24th  must  be 
accounted  for,  and  Mr.  Boudinot's  solution  bears 
every  evidence  of  being  the  correct  one,  the  dis- 
tance to  be  traversed  by  the  messenger  being 
something  under  twenty  miles. 

Mr.  Boudinot  alludes  in  his  reminiscences  to 
many  interviews  he  had  with  Silas  Deane.  He 
gives  in  detail  Deane's  account  to  him  of  his  re- 
ception by  Mons.  de  Vergennes  on  his  first  arrival 
in  Paris,  which  does  not  at  all  agree  with  Deane's 
reports  and  letters  to  Congress  ;  these  latter  tes- 
tify to  his  instant  recognition  and  immediate  re- 
ception by  the  Minister,  while  he  gives  to  Mr. 
Boudinot  a  most  distressing  picture  of  the  manner 
in  which,  without  money  or  friends,  he  was  sub- 
jected to  delay  and  his  repeated  requests  for 
recognition  disregarded,  until,   morji&ai.by  the 


204  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

apparent  uselessness  of  his  mission,  he  was  about 
to  return  home.  At  this  juncture  Gerard  came 
to  him  with  an  invitation  from  M.  de  Vergennes. 
He  attributed  this  sudden  change  to  the  Declara- 
tion of  Independence  and  the  movements  on  the 
Lakes.  The  Declaration  of  Independence  could 
only  have  been  the  action  of  Congress  in  response 
to  a  resolution  by  Richard  Henry  Lee  on  the  7th 
of  June  in  accordance  with  his  instructions  from 
Virginia  in  May :  "  That  these  united  Colonies 
are,  and  of  right  ought  to  be,  free  and  indepen- 
dent States."  Deane,  in  his  letter  to  the  commit- 
tee of  secret  correspondence,  says :  "  The  resolu- 
tion of  Congress  of  15th  of  May  is  not  considered 
by  the  Ministry  as  a  declaration  of  independence, 
but  only  as  a  previous  step."  ^ 

What  object  Deane  had  in  these  representa- 
tions can  only  be  surmised  ;  his  erratic  course  and 
unreliability  must  be  taken  into  account.  The 
story  as  given  by  Mr.  Boudinot  is  so  full  of  inci- 
dent and  detail  that  it  is  impossible  to  charge  him 
with  a  lapse  of  memory ;  we  would  have  rather  to 
believe  that  he  had  invented  the  whole  story,  a 
view  perfectly  incompatible  with  his  character. 

Deane's  situation  on  his  arrival  in  France  was 
certainly  embarrassing,  without  funds  or  intelli- 
gence from  America.  Lord  Stormont,  through 
his  spies,  was  keeping  a  vigilant  watch  upon  him, 
notwithstanding  the  poor  opinion  he  had  formed 

1  See  Reminiscences  of  Elias  Boudinot^  Library  of  Mr.  John   Carter 
Brown. 


SILAS    DEANE.  205 

of  his  judgment  and  capacity,  as  reported  to  Lord 
Weymouth  in  his  dispatches/ 

A  specimen  of  Deane's  inaccuracy  is  given  in 
the  Silas  .  Deane's  papers,  published  by  the  New 
York  Historical  Society  and  edited  by  Mr. 
Charles  Isham,  as  the  following  letters  show. 

TO    CARON    DE    BEAUMARCHAIS. 

Paris  Hotel  de  Grand  Villars 
July  20,  1776. 

Sir:  — 

In  compliance  with  your  request  at  our  inter- 
view of  yesterday,  I  send  you  inclosed  Copies  of 
my  Commission  and  an  Extract  from  my  Instruc- 
tions, which  will  satisfy  you  of  my  being  author- 
ized to  make  the  purchases  I  have  applied  to  you 
for.  To  understand  this  Extract  it  is  necessary  to 
inform  you  that  I  was  ordered  to  make  my  first 
application  to  the  Minister,  and  to  Procure  the 
Supplies  wanted,  of  them,  by  way  of  purchase  or 
Loan  and  in  case  the  Credit  or  Influence  of  Con- 
gress should  not  be  such,  under  the  present  Cir- 
cumstances as  to  obtain  them  from  that  quarter,  I 
was  instructed  then  to  apply  else  where. 

My  application  to  the  Minister  and  his  answer 
I  have  acquainted  you  with  &c.  &c. 

S.  Deane. 

Mons'  BEAUMARCHAIS. 

FROM    CARON    DE    BEAUMARCHAIS. 

Paris  le  22  Juillet,  1776. 

Je  vais  vous  repeter,  Monsieur  ce  que  J'ai  eu 
I'honneur  de  vous  dire  Samdi  passe,  afin  que  les 

1  See  corresp.  of  Lord  Stormont,  Sparks  MSS.,  Harvard  Coll.  Library. 


206  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

conditions  que  je  demande  soient  plus  fixees  dans 
votre  esprit,  &c.  &c. 

Caron  de  Beaumarchais. 

[Translation.] 

I  am  about  to  repeat  Sir  what  I  had  the 
honor  of  saying  to  you  on  Saturday  last,  that  the 
terms  I  have  stated  may  be  more  clearly  im- 
pressed on  your  mind,  &c.  &c. 

To  M""  Silas  Deane. 

TO    CONRAD    A.    GERARD. 

Paris,  July  22,  1776. 

Sir  :  — 

Inclosed  I  send  you  a  copy  of  the  Article  of 
my  Instructions  which  was  the  subject  of  Our  last 
Conference.  I  have  not  as  yet  had  the  pleasure 
of  seeing  Monsieur  Beaumarchais  but  am  so  Con- 
fident from  the  character  I  received  of  him  from 
you  that  he  will  be  able  to  procure  for  me  the 
Articles  I  want  that  I  shall  apply  to  him  in  pref- 
erence to  any  other  person  :  and  I  imagine  thro' 
him  the  Stores  mentioned  in  my  Instructions 
may  be  procured  with  the  utmost  Secrecy  and 
Certainty.     &c.  &c. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  most  respectfully 
Your  most  obliged  and  humble  servt. 

Silas  Deane. 

To  Monsieur  Gerard. 

TO    CARON    DE    BEAUMARCHAIS. 

Paris  24th.  July,  1776. 

Sir  :  — 

I  have  consulted  the  Letter  you  honored  me 
with,  the  2 2d.  and  am  of  opinion  that  your  pro- 


REVOLT  OF  PENNSYLVANIA  LINE.        20/ 

posals  for  regulating  the  Prices  of  the  Goods  and 
Stores  are  just  and  equitable.    The  generous  Con- 
fidence you  place  in  the  Virtue  and  Justice  of  my 
constituents  affords  me  the  greatest  pleasure,  &c. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 
With  highest  respect 

Sir,  Yours,  &c. 

S.  Deane. 

To  M.  Beaumarchais. 

Mr.  Boudinot  appears  to  have  had  a  friendly 
feeling  for  Mr.  Deane,  and  to  have  recognized  his 
services  in  the  patriot  cause,  however  he  may 
have  regarded  his  later  deflection. 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Baskinridge,  Jan.  2nd.  1781. 

Sir:  — 

At  General  Waynes  request,  I  send  the  bearer 
express,  to  acquaint  your  Excellency  with  the 
unhappy  proceedings  of  the  past  night.  About 
nine  O'clock  last  evening  the  main  part  of  the 
Pennsylvania  line  turned  out  in  the  most  sudden 
manner,  after  being  remarkably  still  till  that  hour. 
They  seized  the  ammunition  and  artillery,  spiked 
up  two  field  pieces,  and  with  the  other  four 
marched  off  to  the  westward.  The  utmost  pains 
was  taken  to  reduce  them,  first  by  authority  and 
then  by  entreaty,  but  all  in  vain.  The  whole 
neighborhood  was  alarmed  by  their  noise  and  dep- 
redations. They  abused  many  of  the  inhabitants 
as  well  as  took  what  they  pleased.  They  halted 
near  Veal   Town  ^  from  whence  they  have  sent 

1  Now  Bernardsville,  N.  J. 


208  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

messages  to  such  of  the  hne  as  remained  behind 
and  have  persuaded  the  whole  to  join  in  the  mea- 
sure. I  just  now  followed  in  the  rear  of  the  whole 
passing  the  General's  Quarters.  They  make  an 
encampment  at  Veal  Town.  At  the  first  oppo- 
sition they  killed  Capt.  Betting  and  mortally 
wounded  another  Captain. 

On  a  report  of  the  enemy  being  landed  at  Eliz- 
abethtown  General  Wayne  had  directed  the  militia 
of  Morris  to  parade  at  Chatham.  From  what  con- 
versation I  have  had  with  one  of  the  insurgents, 
their  design  is  to  go  to  Congress  and  insist  on 
their  pay,  cloathing  and  discharge  for  above  three 
years  enlistment.  They  declare  if  the  enemy  come 
out  they  will  face  about  and  attack  them  with 
greater  spirit  than  they  ever  did.  This  makes  me 
believe  the  report  of  the  enemy's  coming  out  to 
be  rather  designed  to  serve  some  valuable  purpose, 
though  I  had  the  report  from  the  General.  The 
rear  of  this  line  is  this  moment  past. 

I  am  in  great  haste  with  due  respect  your  Ex- 
cellency's most  obedient  humble  servant 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

In  the  winter  of  1781  he  sent  his  young  daugh- 
ter, Susan,  from  her  northern  retreat  to  her 
cousin's.  Dr.  Rush's  family,  in  Philadelphia,  w^here 
she  appears  to  have  won  all  hearts;  but,  either 
from  a  distaste  for  letter-writing  or  the  preoccu- 
pation of  a  charming  visit,  she  failed  to  reach  her 
father's  ideas  of  a  good  correspondent. 

1  Sparks  MSS.  in  Harvard  College  Library. 


LETTER    TO    HIS    DAUGHTER.  209 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    HIS    DAUGHTER. 

Baskinridge,  Jan'  ig*^  1781. 

My  DEAR  Susan 

Altho'  I  find  all  my  endeavours  to  prevail  on 
you  to  perfect  yourself  in  letter  writing  are  in 
vain  &  fruitless,  Yet  I  cannot  suffer  Major  Ham- 
ilton to  go  to  the  City  without  letting  you  know 
that  we  are  all  well  —  I  might  perhaps  have  ex- 
cused myself  by  the  shortness  of  notice  of  this 
opportunity,  or  my  want  of  Time,  or  being  much 
engaged  in  business  but  I  am  willing  yet  to  try 
what  effect  good  example  will  have  when  often 
repeated. 

Your  Mama  received  your  letter  by  Mr.  Martin 
and  was  glad  to  find  that  you  were  not  more 
alarmed  at  the  News  of  the  Revolt  of  the  Penn- 
sylvania Line  —  For  one  or  two  nights  we  were 
very  uneasy  here.  The  first  night  I  was  obliged 
to  keep  guard  all  night  about  the  House,  but  we 
came  off  very  well  &  without  the  least  insult, 
which  was  more  than  many  of  our  neighbors 
could  say.  It  has  given  us  much  Pleasure  to  hear 
that  the  dispute  is  settled  —  I  wish  we  may  have 
no  more  of  it  tho'  I  have  my  Fears.  We  could 
wish  to  have  an  account  from  you  of  what  effect 
the  City  has  had  on  you ;  with  your  observation 
on  every  new  object  that  must  have  struck  your 
attention,  especially  we  wish  to  hear  of  your  Im- 
provement in  knowledge  and  manners.  Remark- 
able success  in   the  last  would  always  bring  to 


2IO  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

your  Remembrance  this  jaunt  to  the  City  with 
great  pleasure —  If  you  could  not  find  time  to  in- 
form us  of  any  nice  speculation  you  surely  might 
have  given  us  the  chit  chat  of  the  day  —  An  ac- 
count of  your  visits,  new  Faces,  even  your  romps, 
might  have  been  advantageous  to  your  improve- 
ment in  an  epistolary  correspondence  while  the 
recital  would  have  brightened  our  blazing  fire  side 
in  a  Winter  evening.  I  make  no  doubt  but  that 
the  conversation  &  example  of  your  worthy  cousins 
will  greatly  increase  the  benefit  of  your  present 
opportunities  —  Remember  you  must  be  account- 
able for  them  as  all  your  Friends  here  are  expect- 
ing to  see  great  effects  on  your  return  from  such 
promising  causes.  Thus  you  see  though  I  have 
no  time  to  spare,  I  can  fill  a  sheet  with  small  chat 
though  I  live  in  the  Woods  and  see  nothing  but 
rocks  &  Mountains ;  you  know  flint  will  strike 
fire  from  steel,  who  knows  what  constant  example 
will  do  — 

I  am  much  obliged  to  you  for  the  sermons,  I 
thank  God,  I  love  a  good  man,  tho'  he  calls  him- 
self a  Chinese,  Indian  or  Houttentot  —  Wherever 
you  find  the  traces  and  Footprints  of  the  Spirit 
of  God  let  him  be  your  friend  &  Brother  —  I 
am  more  and  more  convinced  &  wish  to  incul- 
cate it  in  all  my  Friends  that  God  is  no  re- 
spector  of  Persons  but  in  whatever  nation  he 
that  serveth  him  in  Spirit  &  Truth  is  accepted 
of  him  .  .  . 

.  .  .  Our  kind  love  to  all  Friends,  your  Mama 


LETTERS    TO    HIS    DAUGHTER.  211 

adds  her  blessing  &  desires  to  be  joined  in  the 
assurance  that  we  are  with  great  Esteem  &  Love 
My  Dr  Susan 

Your  Most  Affec*  Parents 

BOUDINOT. 

Miss   BOUDINOT 

at  Dr.  Rush's,  Philadelphia. 

Again  Mr.  Boudinot  writes  to  his  daughter: 
"  As  tomorrow  brings  round  the  anniversary  of  a 
day  that  ought  ever  to  be  remembered  by  us  (and 
in  the  most  particular  manner  by  you)  as  produ- 
cing the  highest  Instance  of  the  loving  kindness  & 
tenderest  mercies  of  a  holy  God  towards  us,  we 
hope  you  will  not  forget  to  join  your  grateful 
Parents  in  their  most  ardent  Testimony  of  Love 
&  gratitude  to  the  great  benificent  Author  of  all 
those  mercies  which  have  so  largely  &  constantly 
been  showered  down  on  us  all  ever  since  we  have 
had  our  existence."  And  on  October  22,  1781: 
"  Altho'  the  present  Business  prevents  my  enjoy- 
ing the  leisure  I  could  wish  to  write  to  my  beloved 
daughter  yet  I  am  too  fond  of  your  letters  to  suf- 
fer myself  to  remain  in  your  debt — I  am  sorry 
that  your  sweet  temper  should  be  ruffled  by  the 
idle  stories  of  the  sensorious  or  Malevolent — I 
hope  my  dear  girl  will  early  learn  not  to  despise 
what  others  say  of  her  but  to  place  her  chief  at- 
tention on  acting  in  every  department  and  under 
every  circumstance  of  Life  so  as  to  deserve  the 
good  opinion  of  all  and  then  never  to  trouble  her- 
self about  the   consequences  —  As  for  my  own 


212  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

part  if  any  even  the  meanest  Person  of  my  ac- 
quaintance should  think  evil  of  me,  I  hope  I  do 
not  deserve  it  from  them.  I  pity  them  and  am 
confident  in  the  End  they  will  see  their  error.  It 
effects  me  but  little,  they  are  the  sufferers  —  I 
wish  them  the  greatest  happiness  and  will  en- 
deavour to  do  them  the  greatest  good  I  can  not- 
withstanding their  little  ebullition  of  Nature  —  I 
hope  they  mean  well  tho  mistaken  —  God  gov- 
erns the  world  and  all  things  must  be  right  at 
last  —  This  however,  I  had  much  rather  should 
happen  that  they  speak  evil  of  me  unjustly  twice 
than  I  should  of  them  once  —  I  wish  that  I  could 
see  my  way  clear  and  that  it  was  the  Will  of 
Providence,  I  should  not  trouble  them  long — I 
hope  to  see  you  now  soon  &  partake  in  your  Joys 
and  fears  — 

"  We  expect  the  official  confirmation  of  the 
Glorious  News  of  Cornwallis'  surrender  on  the 
17th  Inst  tomorrow  when  we  are  to  go  in  Proces- 
sion attended  by  the  Council,  Assembly  Minister 
of  France  &c  &c  to  Church  to  return  publick 
Thanks  to  Almighty  God  for  his  special  Favour 
in  the  capture  of  his  Lordship  &  the  british 
Army  —  After  which  there  will  be  great  doings 
here."  ^ 

MRS.    RUSH    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  April  10 

My  dear  Aunt, 

Before  this  reaches  you  you  will  have  received 
your  dear  Susan  not  the  worse   I  hope  for  her 

1  From  family  letters. 


LETTER    FROM    MRS.    RUSH.  213 

having  lived  near  5  months  in  a  corrupt  City,  if 
I  was  to  give  my  opinion  I  should  say  that  I 
believe  if  she  had  been  as  many  years  in  it  she 
would  have  left  it  as  faultless  as  she  now  is  —  the 
first  wish  of  my  heart  would  be  gratified  in  seeing 
my  daughter  at  her  age  just  like  her,  without  any 
alteration. 

I  could  fill  a  very  long  letter  with  an  account 
of  the  virtues  and  amiable  qualities  I  have  dis- 
covered in  her  but  as  this  is  addressed  to  her 
Mother  who  knows  them  better  than  I  do,  it  is 
needless. 

I  have  collected  a  few  little  matters  that  she 
left  behind  and  send  them  by  Mr.  Pintard.  My 
kind  love  to  her  in  which  my  dear  Doctor  Rush 
joins  —  We  expect  to  hear  from  her  by  every 
opportunity  — 

Tell  Aunt  Hetfield  that  I  shall  not  forget  her 
sugar  when  I  send  Mama's,  it  is  not  rising  — 
Please  to  give  her  my  love  —  I  promise  myself  the 
pleasure  of  paying  my  dear  friends  at  Baskinridge 
a  visit  this  Summer  —  As  I  have  nothing  new 
to  communicate  I  will  not  take  up  your  time  as 
I  know  the  company  of  your  dear  daughter  will 
employ  it  much  more  agreeably.  Dr.  Rush  de- 
sires to  be  most  kindly  remembered  to  you  all 
with  my  dear  Aunt, 

Yours  sincerely, 

Julia  Rush^^ 

Mrs.  BouDixMOT, 
Baskinridge. 

1  Family  letters. 

2  Mrs.  Rush  was  the  wife  of  the  signer,  Benjamin  Rush,  and  sister  of 
the  signer,  Richard  Stockton. 


2  14  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Mr.  Boudinot  was  elected  to  fill  Mr.  Burnett's 
place  in  the  Continental  Congress  on  the  latter's 
retiring  in  1781,  and  accepted  the  appointment, 
supposing  that  it  would  be  only  for  the  remainder 
of  the  session  ;  but  was  again  elected  for  the 
term  of  1782  and  1783;  became  president  of  that 
body  on  November  4,  1782.  He  served  on  many 
important  committees,  often  as  chairman.^ 

At  the  close  of  this  most  eventful  year  of  1783, 
during  which  Mr.  Boudinot  presided  over  Con- 
gress, he  had  the  happiness  of  seeing  the  war 
draw  to  a  close,  the  independence  of  his  country 
acknowledged,  and  their  people  enrolled  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth. 

To  his  duties  as  presiding  ofKicer  of  Congress, 
it  will  be  seen  that  he  was  for  a  time  obliged  to 
assume  those  of  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs,  as 
through  him,  until  that  office  was  filled,  passed  the 
correspondence  with  our  foreign  commissioners. 

In  contrast  with  the  disagreeable  circumstances 
attendant  upon  the  mutiny  of  the  disaffected  sol- 
diery, was  the  reception  of  the  minister  plenipo- 
tentiary from  the  United  Netherlands,  and  after 
vexatious  delay  came  the  announcement  of  the 
peace,  and  the  treaty  of  peace  with  Great  Britain, 
to  which  Mr.  Boudinot  had  the  satisfaction  of 
affixing  his  signature.^ 

Proclamations  of  peace,  thanksgiving,  and  dis- 
bandment  followed,  and  those  patriots,  who  had 
toiled  in  the  burden  and  heat  of  the  day,  could 

1  See  appendix  to  vol.  ii.  ^  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


ACCEPTS    NOMINATION.  215 

take  at  last  a  breathing  spell,  and  turn  their  at- 
tention to  their  private  affairs,  loudly  calling  for 
consideration. 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  THE  HON^^^  JOHN  STEVENS. 

Baskinridge  June  18  1781 

Sir 

By  the  unaccountable  neglect  of  the  Post  your 
favour  was  not  handed  me  till  Saturday  afternoon 
as  I  was  on  the  Road  to  Morris  Town.  The 
Contents  were  altogether  unexpected,  and  for 
which  I  was  so  totally  unprepared  that  I  found 
the  greatest  difficulty  in  giving  a  determinate  an- 
swer on  a  subject  of  so  much  Importance.  The 
essential  Sacrifice  I  must  unavoidably  make  with 
regard  to  my  private  Interest,  added  to  the  great 
Losses  I  have  already  sustained  since  the  Revolu- 
tion almost  forbid  my  accepting  the  honor  in- 
tended me  by  the  Legislature,  and  nothing  short 
of  an  invariable  principle  I  fixed  as  the  rule  of 
my  Conduct,  at  engaging  in  an  Opposition  to  G. 
Britain  to  be  always  ready  on  the  Call  of  my 
Country  whenever  she  was  in  distress,  could  have 
prevailed  on  me  to  accept  this  nomination  under 
my  present  circumstances,  at  a  period  so  critical 
and  truly  important,  and  in  which  the  most  supe- 
rior abilities  is  absolutely  necessary.  Tho  I  am 
fully  convinced  of  my  incapacity  to  answer  the 
Expectations  of  the  Legislature,  I  have  at  last 
Determined  (as  it  is  for  so  short  a  time)  to  accept 
the  Appointment  to  show  at  least  my  willingness 
again  to  throw  in  my  mite  towards  the  publick 


2l6  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

service ;  I  can  only  promise  that  attention  &  In- 
tegrity shall  Compensate  for  the  want  of  those 
other  abilities  that  should  form  their  representa- 
tion in  the  Great  Council  of  the  State.  I  must 
beg  the  favour  to  know  when  it  is  expected  that  I 
must  give  my  Personal  attendance  in  Congress. 
It  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  arrange  my  affairs 
sooner  than  a  fortnight,  but  if  another  week  could 
be  added  it  would  be  peculiarly  advantageous  to 
me —  Permit  me  also  to  ask  of  the  Legisla- 

ture that  their  proper  Officers  may  be  ordered  to 
furnish  me  with  their  Ideas  of  the  Number  of 
Inhabitants  of  the  State.  The  true  state  of  their 
finances  —  The  state  of  the  acc^  between  the 
United  States  and  this  State  and  any  other  gen- 
eral matters  that  the  delegates  in  Congress  should 
be  well  acquainted  with  as  I  am  confident  Igno- 
rance in  these  particulars  have  been  and  may 
hereafter  be,  peculiarly  prejudicial  to  the  publick 
interest  and  particular  Instructions  in  the  present 
important  Era  would  be  of  great  use  to  those  who 
represent  the  State  — 


The  Hon^^  John  Stevens  Esqr  i 

M^  BOUDINOT    TO    D^    NATHANIEL    SCUDDER. 

My  D^  Sir. 

I  was  truly  surprised  &  mortified  with  the  un- 
expected contents  of  your  favour  by  the  post 
which  by  his  great  neglect  was  not  handed  to  me 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


LETTER   TO    DR.    SCUDDER.  217 

till  Saturday  afternoon  as  I  was  on  the  road  to 
Morris  Town,  nothing  could  have  been  more 
prejudicial  to  my  private  affairs  They  were  so 
totally  deranged  by  the  Revolutionary  flights  & 
after  engagements  in  the  publick  service,  that  I 
have  but  just  begun  to  see  any  Order  amongst 
them  and  to  retrieve  the  great  losses  I  have  met 
with  —  The  Business  of  my  Profession  has  but 
just  begun  to  find  me  out  and  all  my  views  were 
Consentred  in  private  walks  of  Life  —  I  have 
had  great  difficulty  to  know  what  to  do  —  My 
determination  always  had  been  to  sacrifice  every 
thing  for  the  Publick  Service  while  my  Country 
was  in  distress  &  wanted  aid  —  But  I  had  taken 
it  for  granted  that  that  period  wa^  past  and  there 
were  no  want  of  Solicitors  for  of^ces  of  every 
kind  I  therefore  had  no  idea  of  ever  engaging 
again  In  political  Life.  However  as  I  would  not 
suffer  an  Idea  to  be  entertained  that  she  could 
not  command  the  services  of  any  of  her  Sons 
However  mistaken  she  might  be  in  her  choice, 
I  have  determined  to  make  the  sacrifice  tho'  to 
the  great  distress  &  anxiety  of  my  family  —  The 
season  of  the  year  &  the  City  of  Philadelphia  is 
much  against  me  in  point  of  health  but  to  God 
and  my  country  I  am  willing  to  yield  my  every 
service  &  leave  the  event  —  The  Shortness  of 
the  Period  is  the  only  Consolation  —  D'  Elmore 
must  go  with  me  —  His  Character  &  friendship 
will  give  me  great  pleasure  —  Could  not  a  Com- 
mittee be  appointed  for  us  to  Correspond  with  on 


2l8  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

special  &  important  Occasions  in  the  Recess  of 
the  Legislature.  Some  such  thing  would  be  of 
great  use. 

Dk  N.  ScudderI 

(eLIAS  BOUDINOT  TO  HIS  EXCELLENCY  GEN^  WASmNGTON.) 

Baskinridge  June  28th  1781. 

My  dear  Sir: 

Your  not  having  heard  from  me  lately,  has  not 
proceeded  from  a  want  of  the  most  sincere  respect 
or  the  warmest  attachment  to  your  Person  &  the 
Common  Cause,  but  from  a  conviction  that  every 
unnecessary  Letter,  adds  to  your  Excellency's  Al- 
ready intolerable  Embarrassments  — 

The  design  of  this  is  principally  to  inform  your 
Excellency  that  from  special  Information,  The 
Enemy  have  in  the  Ship  Yards  in  New  York, 
two  very  large  Vessels  cut  down  &  constructing 
with  manifest  Intention  to  cut  through  some 
opposition  formed  in  the  Water  ^ — Their  sides 
are  described  to  me  as  strengthened  with  vast 
thickness  of  Timber  —  The  Bows  are  armed 
with  a  large  Iron  Instrument  of  great  Strength 
&  Sharpness  in  the  form  of  an  Axe,  but  deep, 
and  sundry  constructions  of  Iron  parallel  with 
the  keel,  with  some  Machinery  that  acts  by  a 
Spring  in  the  manner  of  Claws  to  seize  fast 
upon  whatever  is  in  its  way  —  The  want  of 
Knowledge  in  my  Informant  prevents  his  describ- 
ing the  Mechanism  of  these  Vessels  in  a  manner 
I   could  wish    him   to    do  —  I  cannot   answer  to 

1  Without  date.     Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


I  MRS.  WASHINGTON  S    ILLNESS.  219 

Your  Excellency  for  the  Truth  of  these  Facts,  as 
my  Informant  is  one  of  those  People  who  may 
have  an  Interest  in  deceiving  us,  tho'  from  many 
Circumstances,  I  think  he  deserves  as  much 
credit,  as  most  of  his  Character  —  And  tho'  it 
should  prove  erroneous,  I  was  of  opinion  that  it 
was  worthy  of  Communication,  as  your  Excellency 

I  may  Contrast  it  with  other  Intelligence. 

I  The    News  of    Mrs  Washington's  illness   has 

filled  Mrs  Boudinot  &  myself  with  the  most 
alarming  fears,  we  earnestly  pray  God  for  the 
restoration  of  her  Health.  We  desire  to  be  re- 
membered to  her  in  the  most  Affectionate  manner 
—  If  it  could  be  consistent  with  her  Health  & 
other  affairs  to  spend  some  part  of  her  Time  this 
Summer  with  us,  it  would  give  us  peculiar  Plea- 
sure, as  well  as  do  us  great  Honor  — 

Mrs  Boudinot  joins  me  in  the.  best  wishes  & 
most  respectful  Compliments     Am  Dr  Sir 

Your  Excellency's  Most  Obd'  Hble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot 

(Endorsed) 

Baskinridge  28*''  June  1781 
from 
Elias  Boudinot  Esq. 
private 
I  (Addressed) 

I  His  Excellency 

I  General  Washington,^ 

Head  Quarters. 

11  Letters  to  Washington,  vol.  50,  p.  195,  MSS.  Archives,  Department 
of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


CHAPTER   XII. 

To  Hon.  John  Stevens  from  Philadelphia,  regarding  seat  in  Congress.  — 
To  Hon.  Peter  Wilson,  regarding  seat.  —  Flattering  aspect  of  affairs. 
—  Urges  completion  of  levies  for  the  army.  —  Asks  for  views  on  Ver- 
mont. —  To  Mrs.  Boudinot.  —  Difficulty  of  getting  lodgings.  —  Refugees 
from  Georgia  and  Carolina.  —  Retreat  of  Cornwallis.  —  The  marquis 
refreshing  troops  and  covering  country.  —  America  requires  great  abili- 
ties.—  To  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot.  —  General  Greene's  well-judged  ma- 
noeuvres. —  Raises  siege  of  Ninety-six.  —  Lord  Rawdon  abandons  his 
posts.  —  Captain  Eggleston  captures  enemy's  cavalry.  —  Vessels  at 
Cadiz.  —  Meeting  of  English  troops  at  Carolina.  —  To  Governor  Liv- 
ingston.—  Alarm  for  the  city.  —  Monsieur  de  Barras  takes  forty-four 
gun-ships,  two  frigates,  and  transports.  —  To  Governor  Livingston. — 
The  enemy  carry  on  secret  correspondence  by  pedlars.  —  Regarding  his 
reelection.  —  Siege  of  Yorktown  accidental.  —  Stedman.  —  Irving.  — 
De  Grasse  and  siege  of  Yorktown.  —  Capitulation.  —  Hidden  letter  to 
Cornwallis.  —  Washington's  letter  to  De  Grasse.  —  Lafayette's  narrative. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HON°"   JOHN    STEVENS. 

Philad  :  July  24:  1781 

Sir 

I  set  off  from  home  on  the  12  Inst:  I  have 
just  entered  on  my  Mission  —  On  D'  Wither- 
spoon  showing  me  the  Vote  of  the  Joint  Meeting, 
by  which  we  were  appointed  I  was  surprised  to 
find  that  from  the  wording  of  it  D""  Elmore  & 
myself  can  have  no  vote  in  Congress  without  one 
of  the  former  members  are  with  us  I  informed 
D.  W.  that  I  could  not  take  my  seat  under  this 
appointment  and  do  justice  to  my  own  Character 
&  feelings  but  he  assuring  me  that  it  was  verily  a 


LETTER  TO  HON.  PETER  WILSON.      221 

Misprision  of  the  Clerk  I  have  been  prevailed  on 
to  continue  till  your  answer  on  this  Head  can  be 
had  and  if  Possible  a  proper  Certificate  from  the 
Secretary  by  your  Order  — 

A  line  from  you  on  this  Subject  will  be  ver^ 
obliging  8ic 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect 

E.  BOUDINOT 

Hon*''  John  Stevens  Esq'  ^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    THE    HON""    PETER   WILSON. 

Philadelphia  July  28th  1781 

Sir 

I  think  it  my  Duty  as  well  as  an  honor  to  have 
the  pleasure  of  addressing  you  on  my  taking  a 
seat  in  the  Congress  as  one  of  your  Delegates, 
and  shall  be  very  glad  of  a  continued  Correspond- 
ence while  at  this  place,  as  I  should  be  always 
glad  to  Conform  myself  to  the  general  Ideas  of 
my  Constituents  —  I  set  off  for  this  place  on  the 
18^^'  Inst  but  was  much  surprised  on  my  arrival 
here  to  find  that  by  the  Resolution  of  the  Joint 
meeting  Appointing  D.  Elmore  &  myself,  that  we 
are  restricted  from  representing  the  State  of  New 
Jersey  unless  one  of  the  former  Delegates  are 
present  —  This  we  consider  as  making  an  Invid- 
eous  Distinction  between  us,  and  could  not  have 
taken  our  seats  under  this  partial  appointment 
consistent  with  our  Reputation  &  feelings  had  not 
D'  Witherspoon  assured  us  that  it  was  barely  a 
misprision  of  the  Clerk,  this  has  prevailed  on  me 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


222  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

to  Continue  here  till  we  can  hear  from  you,  which  I 
must  beg  to  be,  by  return  of  the  Next  Stage  — 
I  would  be  glad  of  your  Information  what  ap- 
peared to  you  to  be  the  sense  of  the  Legislature, 
for  tho'  Congress  made  no  objection  to  our  repre- 
senting the  State  yet  it  will  not  be  safe  or  prudent 
for  us  to  vote  alone  under  the  express  Declaration 
of  the  State  to  the  Contrary  unless  we  are  prop- 
erly assured  that  it  is  a  mistake  —  As  this  goes 
by  the  Stage,  which  is  an  uncertain  Conveyance 
I  can  say  Nothing  in  point  of  News  but  what  may 
be  made  Publick  with  safety  —  Our  affairs  both 
abroad  and  to  the  southward,  bear  the  most  flat- 
tering aspect,  and  we  are  encouraged  to  hope  & 
expect  the  happiest  Consequences  from  the  con- 
tinued struggles  of  this  year — It  is  a  matter  of 
the  highest  Consequence  that  the  Requisitions  of 
our  worthy  General  on  the  Different  States  be 
punctually  and  immediately  Complied  with  — 
You  could  not  do  a  more  essential  service  to 
those  States  than  to  urge  completion  of  the  levies 
for  the  Army  —  Lord  Cornwallis  has  retired  to 
Portsmouth  and  the  Marquis  after  gaining  great 
Laurels  in  his  late  attack  on  his  lordship  is  re- 
freshing his  little  Army  so  as  at  the  same  time  to 
cover  the  Country  —  Could  you  with  propriety 
communicate  what  you  consider  as  the  Ideas  of 
our  Legislature  relative  to  the  dispute  of  Vermont 
&  the  expediency  of  their  being  declared  a  free  & 
independent  State  I  should  be  much  obliged  —  ^ 

To  the  Hon"  Peter  Willson  July  28  1781. 

1  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 


ATTENDS  CONGRESS  IN  PHILADELPHIA.   223 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  MRS.  BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  July  29'^  1781 

My  dearly  beloved  Wife 

Tho'  late  in  the  evening,  I  am  glad  to  get  rid  of 
my  fellow  Lodgers  and  retire  from  their  very  dis- 
agreeable company  (on  this  day)  to  hold  converse 
with  my  better  self  —  As  it  is  uncertain  whether 
I  shall  have  time  to  write  again  before  the  Post 
goes,  shall  inform  you  of  my  situation  —  I  tryed 
in  vain  to  get  Lodgings  near  the  State  House,  and 
altho'  I  was  kindly  invited  to  my  old  Quarters, 
yet  the  irregularity  of  Congress  Hours  &  the  cir- 
cumstances of  the  Family  were  such  as  obliged 
me  to  refuse  it  —  The  City  is  so  filled  with  the 
distressed  Georgia  &  Carolina  Refugees  that  I 
was  afraid  that  I  should  be  prevented  getting  any 
quarters  outside  of  a  Tavern,  at  last  I  have  got  a 
room  at  Mrs  Clark's  in  the  house  Mr.  Searl's 
family  lived,  at  the  corner  of  Chestnut  &  Front 
Streets  opposite  Woods  the  watch  maker.  I  am 
in  the  third  story  &  with  very  disagreeable  com- 
pany particularly  on  the  sabbath  —  I  give  7  dol- 
lars p  week  for  my  board  &  find  my  own  drink, 
wood  &  candles  —  My  situation  is  not  very  desir- 
able &  my  services  here,  not  such  as  will  satisfy 
me  for  the  loss  of  what  I  prize  above  all  temporal 
pleasures,  I  mean  domestic  Ease  &  Happiness 
—  I  know  that  it  may  be  answered  that  I  am  des- 
titute of  that  laudable  ambition  &  pursuit  of 
Honor  that  should  urge  every  man  to  activity  — 


2  24  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

I  confess  that  I  have  other  views  &  other  Pur- 
suits and  as  I  find  so  many  ready  to  supply  my 
deficiencies  in  this  respect,  that  I  am  contented 
to  pass  thro'  Life  in  humble  Obscurity,  if  it  be  the 
Will  of  my  heavenly  Father,  who  has  a  right  to 
dispose  of  me  &  my  services  as  he  shall  see  best. 
Resignation  to  his  Will  is  I  hope  the  great  pur- 
suit of  my  Life.  ...  I  have  no  news  to  commu- 
nicate except  that  in  general  our  affairs  both 
abroad  and  at  home  (I  mean  to  the  southward) 
wear  the  most  flattering  appearances  — 

Lord  Cornwallis  since  his  drubbing  by  General 
Wayne,  has  retreated  quite  to  Portsmouth  &  the 
Marquis  is  refreshing  his  troops  in  such  manner 
as  to  cover  the  Country.  Julia  goes  on  Tuesday 
for  Princeton,  so  that  I  shall  then  be  all  alone  — 
I  hope  my  beloved  Wife  is  much  happier  with  her 
little  family  about  her  than  I  am  here  —  If  I  was 
convinced  that  I  was  doing  especial  service  to  my 
Country,  it  would  give  me  pleasure  even  to  forego 
that  large  share  of  Happiness  I  have  left  behind 
but  I  feel  myself  inadequate  to  the  errand  on 
which  I  am  sent,  and  ardently  wish  some  Person 
of  superior  Talents  was  in  my  room.  I  am  not 
so  humble  as  to  suppose  that  I  am  not  as  equal 
to  the  Task  as  many  that  have  been  here  before 
me,  but  their  deficiency  does  not  give  me  capa- 
city—  I  am  convinced  the  affairs  of  America  re- 
quire now  the  abilities  of .  a  Pitt  &  a  Necker  to 
preside  over  her  Councils  —  However,  I  did  not 
choose   myself,   nor  even  did    solicit  the  choice 


GENERAL    GREENE.  225 

from  any  other  person,  and  therefore  while  I  re- 
main in  the  important  station  will  make  up  by 
Integrity  &  Application  my  want  of  those  other 
qualifications  necessary  for  the  important  trust  — 
I  must  wish  the  beloved  of  my  Soul  a  good 
night  may  the  blessing  of  a  holy  God  attend  her 
and  the  Angel  of  his  Presence  keep  &  preserve 
her  &  all  my  dear  family. 

I  am  with  the  greatest  Love  & 

Affection  yours  sincerely 

BOUDINOT  ^ 
MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS    BROTHER    MR.    ELISHA    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  Aug.  12  1781. 

My  DEAR  Brother 

I  write  this  barely  to  communicate  the  impor- 
tant news  of  the  day  —  Gen^  Greene  by  a  variety 
of  well  judged  Manoeuvers  which  do  him  honor, 
after  Lord  Rawdon  had  obliged  him  in  Prudence 
to  raise  the  seige  of  fort  96,  in  his  turn  obliged 
his  Lordship  to  evacuate  that  important  fortress, 
abandon  his  strong  Post  on  the  Congaree  (a 
country  abounding  with  Provisions)  and  fall 
down  to  Orangeburgh  about  80  miles  from 
Charles  Town.  Here  Genl  Greene  detached 
Genl  Marion  with  the  Militia  and  Col.  Lee's  Le- 
gion to  surprise  the  Post  at  Monk's  cornor  20 
miles  from  Charles  Town.  On  the  way  Col.  Lee 
sent  Cap.  Eggleston  with  a  few  troops  of  Horses 
to  annoy  the  Enemy's  Cavalry  then  foraging  in 
the  country,     the  Capt.  passed  them  unperceived 

1  Family  letters 


2  26  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

and  gained  three  miles  in  their  front  and  when 
discovered  was  taken  for  militia  Horse  —  The 
Enemy  came  out  in  an  irregular  loose  body  and 
was  received  by  Capt  Eggleston  with  Judgm*  & 
Bravery  —  Lee's  words  are  "  They  were  soon 
routed,  dispersed  and  cut  to  pieces"  —  except  a 
Capt  Liu^  Cadet  45  men  &  horses  with  accoutre- 
ments compleat  brought  off  Prisoners  and  one 
man  of  the  whole  escaped  to  be  a  living  Evidence 
of  the  Fact  —  By  a  flag  from  Charles  Town  we 
are  informed  that  we  succeeded  also  at  Monk's 
Cornor  — 

A  vessel  just  this  moment  from  Cadiz  an- 
nounces the  capture  and  arrival  of  the  whole 
station  Fleet  with  their  convoy  —  also  the  capture 
and  arrival  at  Cadiz  of  5  English  India  men.  I 
forgot  to  tell  you  that  there  had  been  a  Mutiny 
among  the  English  Troops  at  Carolina  in  quel- 
ling of  which  100  men  were  killed  &  wounded. 

I  am  in  great  haste  but  with  Love  to  Sister  8l 
all  with  you, 

My  Dr  Brother 

Yours  affect^y 

BoUDINOT.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    GOV.    WM.    LIVING- 
STON. 

Philadelphia,  Sept.  29,  1781. 

Dear  Sir:  — 

We  are  much  alarmed  here  on  the  apprehended 
invasion  of  this  State  by  General  Clinton  from 
New  York.     Indeed  this  city  could  not  have  been 

1  Family  letters. 


ALARM    AT    PHILADELPHIA.  22] 

attempted  in  a  more  defenseless  state,  or  at  a 
time  which  would  so  essentially  have  affected  the 
common  cause. 

Congress  have  ordered  dow^n  to  this  town  500 
Continental  troops  under  General  St.  Clair  from 
Lancaster.  3000  men  of  the  Militia  of  this  State 
are  ordered  to  be  in  the  field  without  delay  and 
half  of  the  militia  of  the  Delaware  State.  Con- 
gress have  great  and  indeed  I  may  say  the  great- 
est dependence  on  the  militia  of  our  State  and 
hope  they  will  be  found  actually  in  the  field 
should  the  enemy  appear  ever  so  suddenly.  As 
some  days  are  always  taken  to  arrange  any  body 
of  Militia,  the  sooner  they  are  called  out  the  bet- 
ter. I  confess  for  my  own  part,  I  consider  this 
city  as  our  most  vulnerable  post. 

Another  letter  received  this  evening  from 
Maryland  confirms  the  junction  of  Mons.  de 
Barras  and  his  taking  44  Gun  ships  and  two  Fri- 
gates with  as  many  Transports.     No  other  news. 

I  am  your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient  and  humble  servant  ^ 

Elias  Boudinot. 

mr.  boudinot  to  his  excellency  gov.  wm.  living- 
STON. 

Philadelphia,  Oct.  20,  1781. 

Dear  Sir:  — 

I  am  authorized  to  give  your  Excellency  official 
intelligence  that  the  enemy,  in  order  to  carry  on 
their  correspondence  through  our  State  make  use 
of  a  number  of  pedlars,  who   are  supplied  with 

1  Sparks  MSS.  in  Harvard  College  Library. 


2  28  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

proper  certificates  or  licences  according  to  law, 
which  I  suppose  they  forge  for  the  purpose. 

We  have  had  no  official  information  from  head 
quarters  since  the  8th.     The  private  intelligence 
is  all  contained  in  the  Newspapers  of  this  day. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient  humble  servant 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

mr.  boudinot  to  hon.  john  stevens. 

Philadelphia  November  5,  1781. 

Sir 

I  have  the  honor  of  acknowledging  the  Receipt 
of  the  Certified  Minute  of  the  Joint  Meeting,  tes- 
tifying the  appointment  of  Delegates  for  our  State 
in  Congress  the  ensuing  year.  I  am  much  em- 
barrassed on  this  Occasion,  I  was  preparing  to 
Return  home,  having  had  no  Idea  of  remaining 
here  longer  than  this  day,  being  the  Time  when 
I  first  accepted  the  Appointment.  Indeed  had 
this  not  been  the  Case,  the  exhausted  state  of  my 
finances  and  the  Derangement  of  my  family  Af- 
fairs would  Oblige  me  to  return  —  The  Monstrous 
expense  attending  a  residence  in  this  city,  must 
soon  take  away  the  ready  Cash  of  any  fortune 
among  us  —  However  as  there  were  only  Mr. 
Clark  &  myself  here  and  our  Presence  absolutely 
necessary  to  form  a  Congress  in  this  important 
Conjuncture,  We  took  our  seats  this  Day  and  have 
proceeded  to  the  Choice  of  a  President,  Mr.  Han- 

1  Sparks  MSS.  in  Harvard  College  Library. 


ON    TAKING    HIS    SEAT   IN    CONGRESS.  229 

son  of  Maryland  I  shall  continue  here  this  week, 
in  hopes  that  your  honorable  Houses  will  urge 
the  Attendance  of  one  of  the  other  Gent"  by  that 
Time  —  I  shall  do  myself  the  honor  of  calling  on 
you  next  week,  as  I  have  some  matters  of  great 
Importance  I  would  willingly  communicate  to  the 
Legislature  before  my  return  Home.  Never  was 
there  Time  which  required  a  full  Representa- 
tion of  the  States  more  than  the  present  as  Mat- 
ters of  the  Utmost  future  consequence  to  this 
Empire,  are  and  must  be  the  subjects  of  constant 
discussion  —  Not  being  able  to  Command  the 
Acts  of  Assembly,  we  cannot  determine  if  a 
usual  renewal  of  the  Oaths  are  essentially  neces- 
sary to  our  representation  we  therefore  must  beg 
advice  on  this  Subject.  We  shall  continue  our 
seats  until  the  return  of  the  Post,  as  our  return 
to  Jersey  for  that  Purpose  at  present  would  pre- 
vent the  whole  Business  of  the  United  States  at 
a  season  too  critical  to  admit  of  such  a  delay,  as 
the  Estimates  of  the  ensuing  campaign  are  hard 
&  must  be  immediately  Compleated  — 

Mr.  Clark  intended  joining  me  in  this  Letter 
but  the  Opportunity  cannot  wait  my  dining 
hour  — 

To  Vice  Presidt  John  Stevens  Esqr.i 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes  :  — 

"  The  se;ge  of  Yorktown  was  mearly  accidental 
' —  General  Washington  the  Fall  &  Winter  before, 
had  planned  with  a  Committee  of  Congress,  the 

1  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 


230  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

storming  of  the  Works  at  New  York  and  the 
repossession  of  that  City —  He  communicated  his 
Design  to  the  French  General  and  the  Arrival  of 
Count  De  Grasse  with  a  French  Fleet  w^as  part  of 
the  Plan  —  Requisitions  on  the  different  States  for 
a  Supply  of  Men  to  the  necessary  Amount  was 
duly  made  by  Congress,  they  to  be  in  the  Field 
by  a  given  Day  —  The  necessary  Preparation 
especially  a  number  of  very  large  battering  Can- 
non were  provided  —  A  little  before  the  expected 
Reinforcement  the  Marquis  La  Fayette  was  very 
hard  pressed  by  the  British  in  Virginia —  He  had 
not  Men  enough  to  make  head  ag^  them,  and  was 
driven  to  a  Dependence  on  maneuvering  alto- 
gether—  He  wrote  to  Gen^  Washington  for  Aid 
alleging  the  Impossibility  of  maintaining  his 
Ground  without  a  Reinforcement  —  General 
Washington  answered  him  by  letting  him  into 
his  Designs  on  New  York  —  That  he  must  do  as 
well  as  he  could  with  the  Force  he  had,  as  he 
could  not  spare  him  a  Man,  but  when  the  Enemy 
should  discover  his  Intention  it  would  work  a  Di- 
version in  the  Marquis'  Favor — This  Letter  was 
sent  by  the  Mail  —  This  was  captured  in  passing 
thro'  Jersey  and  the  Letter  fell  into  the  Enemy's 
hands  —  Then  his  whole  Design  was  betrayed 
with  the  Weakness  of  the  Marquis  —  However 
Preparations  went  on  but  the  Day  for  the  As- 
sembling the  Troops  arrived,  and  the  Supplies 
did  not  more  than  fill  up  the  Places  of  the  Sick 
&  Dead  thro'  the  Winter — The  General  remon- 


PLANS    TO    DECEIVE    THE    ENEMY.  23 1 

strated  to  Congress  &  the  States  in  vain  —  His 
Numbers  were  not  half  sufficient  to  justify  an 
Attack  on  New  York.  —  He  feared,  he  should 
become  the  Derision  of  the  French  Army  &  the 
Enemy — His  Mind  ever  full  of  Resources  im- 
mediately suggested  the  Plan  of  taking  advan- 
tage of  the  Enemy's  Knowledge  of  his  Plans  — 
He  wrote  to  Congress,  had  a  Confidential  & 
secret  Committee  appointed  (of  which  I  was  one) 
immediately  assembled  the  Army  (such  as  it  was) 
in  the  County  of  Essex  &  Morris  near  New  York 

—  Had  the  large  battering  Cannon  sent  on  at  a 
heavy  Expense  from  Philadelphia  —  Erected  very 
laree  Ovens  at  Chatham  about  eleven  Miles  above 
Elizabeth  Town  —  Every  one  was  on  Tiptoe  with 
the  Expectation  of  soon  entering  into  New  York 

—  On  the  Morning  of  his  intended  Departure, 
about  Daylight,  he  sent  for  an  old  Inhabitant  of 
New  York,  who  lived  in  the  Neighborhood  and 
who  was  suspected  of  giving  Intelligence  to  the 
enemy  —  And  put  a  Number  of  important  Ques- 
tions to  him  about  the  Situation  of  the  Country 
in  &  about  Middle  Town  &  Sandy  Hook  in  the 
County  of  Monmouth  where  the  Man  was  born 
&  bred  —  Also  as  to  the  state  of  the  Land  on  the 
opposite  Shore  on  Long  Island  —  With  regard 
to  landing  of  Troops,  Water,  &c.  alleging  that 
he  was  fond  of  knowing  the  Situation  of  different 
Parts  of  the  Country  as  in  the  Course  of  the  War 
he  might  unexpectedly  be  called  into  the  Part  of 
the  Country  —  He  urged  upon  him  the  most  pro- 


232  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

found  Secrecy  and  by  no  Means  to  lisp  a  Word 
of  what  had  passed  between  them  —  In  one  Hour 
the  Army  marched  apparently  for  Princeton, 
which  might  be  a  good  Road  to  Monmouth  if  a 
Deception  was  intended  —  I  happened  to  be  in 
the  Neighborhood  of  the  Army  and  about  ten 
o'clock  called  on  the  Man  on  whom  the  General 
had  enjoined  so  much  Secrecy,  and  to  convince 
me  that  the  Seige  of  New  York  was  determined 
&  that  by  the  Way  of  Monmouth  &  Long  Island 
he  told  me  everything  that  had  passed  between 
him  and  the  General,  and  I  doubt  not  but  that 
the  British  Gen^  had  it  also  the  same  Night.  The 
British  never  suspected  any  other  Design  till 
they  were  informed  that  the  American  Army  had 
passed  the  Delaware  —  Then  it  was  too  late  — 
When  they  arrived  at  Philadelphia  the  Army  dis- 
covered great  Discontent  at  not  receiving  certain 
Arrears  of  Pay  long  withheld  from  them  —  It 
was  thought  neither  prudent  nor  safe  to  proceed 
without  making  Pay  at  least,  in  Part — Money 
was  also  wanted  to  hire  Vessels  and  other  Means 
to  proceed  down  the  Chesapeake  Bay  —  The 
Treasury  was  empty —  Congress  had  no  Means 
to  raise  the  Money  —  Requisitions  had  been  re- 
sorted to  in  vain  —  In  this  exigency  the  vigorous 
exertions  of  the  Hon^^^  Robert  Morris,  the  Super- 
intendent of  Finances,  relieved  their  Distress  — 
He  w^nt  out  amonsf  his  merchantile  &  other 
Friends  and  borrowed  on  his  own  Responsibility 


INTERCEPTED    LETTER.  233 

upwards  of  30,000  Dollars  which  answered  every 
Purpose,  and  the  Army  soon  appeared  before 
Yorktown."  ^ 

Stedman,  in  his  "American  War,"  says:  — 

"  The  express  carrying  the  letter  written  by 
Washington  to  Congress  after  this  interview  with 
the  French  General  (Rochambeau  in  Connecticut) 
was  intercepted  in  the  Jerseys  and  the  letters 
were  carried  to  Sir  Henry  Clinton.  They  dis- 
closed the  nature  of  the  enterprise  in  agitation 
and  seemed  to  have  alarmed  them  for  the  safety 
of  New  York.^  The  following  is  a  note  in 
Irving's  '  Washington,'  from  Sparks,  9404 :  *  That 
much  trouble  was  taken  and  finesse  used  to  mis- 
guide and  bewilder  Sir  Henry  Clinton  in  regard 
to  the  real  object  by  fictitious  communications  as 
well  as  by  making  a  deceptive  provision  of  ovens, 
forage,  and  boats  in  his  neighborhood  is  cer- 
tain.' "^ 

Mr.  Boudinot  further  writes :  — 

"  At  the  siege  of  Yorktown  the  French  Troops 
brought  out  by  Count  de  Grasse  were  absolutely 
necessary  to  complete  the  line  of  Circumvallation 
and  perfect  the  Siege  —  About  2  days  before  the 
capture  the  Count  sent  word  to  Gen^  Washington 
that  he  should  within  48  hours  withdraw  those 
Troops  &   that   he  must  provide  accordingly  — 

1  Reminiscences  of  Elias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 

2  Stedman's  Americatt  War,  vol.  ii.  p.  437. 

^  Irving's  Life  of  Washington,  vol.  iv.  p.  338. 


234  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

This  was  in  effect  raising  the  Seige  —  General 
Washington  remonstrated  against  it  in  vain  — 
He  sent  the  Marquis  La  Fayette  on  board  the 
fleet  to  dissuade  Count  de  Grasse  from  so  ruin- 
ous a  Measure  —  He  obstinately  persisted,  and  said 
his  orders  were  positive  &  not  discretionary  — 

"  General  Washington  finding  nothing  but  storm- 
ing the  Enemy's  lines  would  prevent  the  raising 
the  Seige  and  that  would  necessarily  occasion  the 
loss  of  great  numbers  on  both  sides  to  avoid 
which  he  fell  upon  the  following  Expedient —  He 
sent  out  Coll.  Hamilton  with  some  other  Officers 
with  a  Flag  of  Truce,  on  some  business  —  They 
were  met  half  way  by  a  number  of  British  Officers 
—  They  carried  with  them  something  to  eat  & 
drink  —  In  Conversation  they  mentioned  to  the 
British  Officers  their  concern  for  them  as  gentle- 
men &  soldiers  —  That  the  American  army  had 
determined  to  storm  their  Lines  —  That  the 
American  Soldiery  and  Country  People  were  so 
exasperated  at  the  Conduct  of  the  British  to  the 
southward,  that  they  could  not  answer  for  the 
Consequences,  as  they  did  not  think  they  could  be 
restrained  by  Authority  and  Discipline  —  That 
they  knew  General  Washington's  humane  Temper 
and  his  wish  to  avoid  the  unnecessary  shedding 
of  blood —  That  in  case  of  a  Capitulation  the  same 
terms  the  British  troops  gave  to  our  troops  at 
Charles  Town,  with  the  addition  of  the  officers 
wearing  side  Armis  &  being  immediately  sent  on 
their  parole  into  New  York,  they  believed  might 


COUNT    DE    GRASSE.  235 

be  obtained  —  That  they  did  not  wish  their  names 
to  be  mentioned,  &c.  &c.  Within  a  few  hours  after 
their  return  proposals  for  surrendering  or  Terms 
were  sent  out,  and  the  Capitulation  took  place  — 
Count  de  Grasse  remained  several  days  (notwith- 
standing the  positive  nature  of  his  orders)  to  enjoy 
the  pleasure  of  the  Surrender,  the  rejoicings,  &c. 
&c..  General  Washington  then  earnestly  requested 
his  landing  a  body  of  American  troops  near  Eden 
Town  in  North  Carolina,  that  the  British  in 
that  Neighborhood  might  be  surprised  —  but  he 
absolutely  refused,  tho'  he  spent  twice  the  time 
necessary  for  the  purpose  doing  nothing  before 
he  left  the  Coast. 

"  When  the  messenger  brought  the  News  of 
this  Capitulation  to  Congress,  it  was  necessary  to 
furnish  him  with  hard  money  for  his  Expenses  — 
There  was  not  a  sufficiency  in  the  Treasury  to  do 
it  and  the  Members  of  Congress  of  which  I  was 
one,  each  paid  a  Dollar  to  accomplish  it. 

"  Before  the  capture  &  at  the  first  preparation  for 
the  selge  before  Count  de  Grasse  arrived  —  Gen- 
eral Clinton  sent  a  row  Boat  well  manned  with  a 
Confidential  Officer  along  the  coast,  to  get  into 
Yorktown  with  a  Letter  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  set- 
ting forth  his  situation  and  the  ImpossiblHty  of  his 
relieving  him  with  a  fleet  till  a  certain  day  and 
encouraging  him  to  hold  out  till  that  period  —  The 
boat  was  driven  on  shore  somewhere  near  Egg 
Harbor  &  the  Crew  taken  &  brought  to  Philadel- 
phia—  One  of  the  men  discovered  In  private,  where 


236  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

they  were  bound  &  that  the  Confidential  Letter 
had  been  hidden  under  a  certain  large  Stone  on 
the  Shore  by  the  Officers  —  A  person  was  sent  to 
the  Place  &  brought  it  to  Congress  —  It  was  in 
Cipher  and  after  some  trouble  it  w^as  discovered 
to  be  in  three  different  Cyphers — However  it 
was  deciphered  by  a  Mr.  Lovell,  a  Member  of 
Congress  from  Boston,  after  about  two  days'  labor 
— The  original  letter  was  carefully  returned  to 
the  Stone  or  some  means  used  so  that  it  finally 
got  to  Lord  Cornwallis,  but  not  before  Count  de 
Grasse'  arrival  and  having  the  copy  fairly  trans- 
lated —  By  this  means  W.  was  enabled  to  counter- 
act all  their  intended  measures  "  ^  — 

Mr.  Boudinot,  as  president  of  Congress,  in  his 
official  letter  to  De  Grasse  compliments  and 
eulogizes  him  on  the  efficient  aid  rendered  by 
him  and  the  French  fleet  at  Yorktown.  Doubt- 
less with  sincerity,  but  in  his  strictures  as  to  all 
that  took  place  during  the  siege  he  but  reflects 
the  feeling  prevalent  at  the  time,  as  the  facts  be- 
came known. 

He  was  one  of  the  committee  in  Congress  that 
reported  on  the  letters  received  from  Washington, 
dated  respectively,  Headquarters,  October  16  and 
19;  consequently  he  was  perfectly  well  informed 
on  the  subject.  His  intimacy  with  Hamilton  and 
Washington  would  have  rendered  him  conversant 
with  details  not  made  public,  and  which  at  the 
time  and  under  the  circumstances,  from  Wash- 

1  Re77iiniscences  of  Elias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


WASHINGTON  TO  COUNT  DE  GRASSE.    237 

ington's  patriotic  point  of  view,  would  have  been 
worse  than  useless ;  however,  they  add  now  to 
the  lustre  of  the  great  luminary  whose  noble 
nature  was  undaunted  amid  the  thousand  anxie- 
ties that  beset  him,  one  of  the  greatest  of  these 
being  his  desire  to  promote  and  maintain  good 
feeling  between  the  allied  forces. 

The  instance  related  above  of  De  Grasse  is  in 
character  with  his  actions,  as  shown  by  his  inten- 
tions of  sailing  away  to  the  northward  and  frus- 
trating Washington's  whole  design,^  and  his 
further  vacillating  purposes  when  urged  by 
Washington  to  aid  in  the  capture  of  Charleston ; 
or  failing  to  cooperate  in  that,  to  at  least  convey 
troops  to  Greene;  refusing  to  do  the  first,  but 
promising  to  accomplish  the  latter,  then  withdraw- 
ing that  promise :  the  importance  of  such  co- 
operation at  that  juncture  may  be  judged  by 
Washington's  letter  to  him. 

TO    COUNT    DE    GRASSE. 

Head-Quarters  Oct.  20*^  1781. 

Sir:  — 

The  surrender  of  York,  from  which  so  great 
glory  and  advantage  are  derived  to  the  allies,  and 
the  honor  of  which  belongs  to  your  Excellency 
has  greatly  anticipated  our  most  sanguine  expec- 
tations. Certain  of  this  event,  under  your  aus- 
pices, though  unable  to  determine  the  time,  I 
solicitated  your  attention,  in  the  first  conference 
with  which  you  honored  me,  to  ulterior  objects 

1  See  Marshall's  Washington,  vol.  iv.  p.  479.. 


238  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

of  decisive  importance  to  the  common  cause. 
Although  your  answer  on  that  occasion  was  unfa- 
vorable to  my  wishes,  the  unexpected  promptness, 
with  which  our  operations  here  have  been  con- 
ducted to  their  final  success,  havinsr  sralned  us 
time,  the  defect  of  which  was  one  of  your  principal 
objections,  a  conviction  of  the  most  extensive  and 
happy  consequences,  engages  me  to  renew  my 
representation.  Charleston,  the  principal  maritime 
port  of  the  British  in  the  Southern  parts  of  the 
continent,  the  grand  deposit  and  point  of  support 
for  the  present  theatre  of  the  war,  is  opend  to  a 
combined  attack,  and  might  be  carried  with  as 
much  certainty,  as  the  place  which  has  just  sur- 
rendered. This  capture  would  destroy  the  last 
hope  w^hich  induces  the  enemy  to  continue  the 
war;  for,  having  experienced  the  impracticability 
of  recovering  the  populous  northern  States,  they 
have  determined  to  confine  themselves  to  the  de- 
fensive in  that  quarter,  and  prosecute  a  most 
vigorous  offensive  at  the  southward,  with  a  view 
of  reconquering  States  whose  sparse  population 
and  natural  disadvantages  render  them  infinitely 
less  susceptible  of  defence,  although  their  pro- 
ductions make  them  the  most  valuable  in  a  com- 
mercial view.  Their  general  naval  superiority, 
previous  to  your  arrival,  gave  them  decisive  advan- 
tages in  the  rapid  transport  of  their  troops  and 
supplies,  while  the  immense  land  marches  of  our 
succours,  too  tardy  and  expensive  in  every  point 
of  view,  subjected  us  to  be  beaten  in  detail. 


WASHINGTON    URGES    COMBINED   ATTACK.      239 

It  will  depend  upon  your  Excellency,  there- 
fore, to  terminate  the  war,  and  enable  the  allies 
to  dictate  the  law  in  a  treaty.  A  campaign  so 
glorious  and  so  fertile  in  consequences  could  be 
reserved  only  for  the  Count  De  Grasse.  It  rarely 
happens,  that  such  a  combination  of  means,  as  are 
in  our  hands  at  present,  can  be  seasonably  ob- 
tained by  the  most  strenuous  human  exertions ;  a 
decisively  superior  fleet,  the  fortune  and  talents 
of  whose  commander  overawe  all  the  naval  force, 
that  the  most  strenuous  efforts  of  the  enemy 
have  been  able  to  collect ;  an  army  flushed  with 
success,  demianding  only  to  be  conducted  to  new 
attacks ;  and  the  very  season  which  is  proper  for 
operating  against  the  points  in  question. 

If,  upon  entering  into  the  detail  of  this  expedi- 
tion, your  Excellency  should  determine  it  imprac- 
ticable, there  is  an  object,  which,  though  subor- 
dinate to  that  above  mentioned,  is  of  capital 
importance  to  our  southern  operations,  and  may 
be  effected  at  infinately  less  expense ;  I  mean  the 
enemy's  post  at  Wilmington  in  North  Carolina. 
Circumstances  require  that  I  should  at  this  pe- 
riod reinforce  the  southern  army  under  General 
Greene.  This  reinforcement,  transported  by  sea 
under  your  convoy,  would  enable  us  to  carry  the 
post  in  question  with  very  little  difficulty,  and 
would  wrest  from  the  British  a  point  of  support 
in  North  Carolina,  which  is  attended  with  the 
most  dangerous  consequences  to  us,  and  liberate 
another  State.    This  object  would  require  nothing 


240  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

more  than  the  convoy  of  your  fleet  to  the  point 
of  operation,  and  the  protection  of  the  debarka- 
tion. 

I  entreat  your  Excellency's  attention  to  the 
points,  which  I  have  the  honor  of  laying  before 
you,  and  that  you  will  be  pleased  at  the  same  time 
to  inform  me  what  are  your  dispositions  for  a  mar- 
itime force  to  be  left  on  the  American  station. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be,  &c.^ 

De  Grasse  said  in  his  letter  to  Lafayette  that 
he  could  not  remain  in  our  waters  beyond  the 
8th  of  November,  but  he  sailed  with  his  fleet  on 
November  4,  fifteen  days  after  the  surrender, 
which  took  place  on  October  19. 

Lafayette  says  in  his  narrative  given  to  Jared 
Sparks  at  La  Grange,  November,  1828,  that  when 
he  refused  to  storm  Yorktown  at  the  request  of 
De  Grasse,  considering  that  it  would  result  in 
an  unnecessary  loss  of  life,  and  knowing  of  the 
advance  of  the  commander-in-chief,  De  Grasse 
insisted  that  it  was  to  their  interest  and  glory  to 
make  the  assault.  Lafayette  "  had  a  difliculty 
to  induce  him  to  remain."  As  soon  as  the  capit- 
ulation was  over,  Lafayette  went  on  board  to  De 
Grasse  and  proposed  to  him  to  sail  immediately 
to  Charleston,  and  take  with  him  forces,  and 
cooperate  with  Greene,  and  capture  Charleston ; 

1  Jared  Sparks'  Washington* s  Writings  ;  see  Lee's  Memoirs  of  the  War 
in  the  Southern  Department ;  Irving's  Life  of  Washingtoji ;  Stedman's 
American  War;  Marshall's  Life  of  Washington;  Ford's  Washingtoti 
Letters. 


LAFAYETTE.  24 1 

Lafayette  would  command  the  American  forces. 
De  Grasse  declined,  stating  that  it  was  necessary 
for  him  to  proceed  to  the  West  Indies.  When 
Cornwallis  saw  Lafayette  going  off  the  vessel, 
he  said  to  some  of  his  officers,  "  He  is  now  for 
Charleston,  and  they  will  certainly  succeed  against 
that  place." 

"  Lafayette  is  sure  that  nothing  would  have 
been  more  easy  had  not  de  Grasse  obstinately 
defeated  the  project;  Naval  officers  are  always 
impatient  to  be  on  their  own  element  and  never 
contented  to  act  in  concert  with  land  forces."  ^ 

Lafayette  was  heart  and  soul  an  American 
patriot,  De  Grasse,  serving  the  French  king,  our 
ally,  but  whose  ministers  were  none  too  anxious 
to  see  us  become  powerfully  independent,  and 
especially  at  that  juncture  independent  of  them. 

1  See  Sparks  MSS.  in  Harvard  College  Library. 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

Lord  Cornwallis'  cruelty.  —  Motion  by  Mr.  Middleton  in  Congress.  —  De- 
bates thereon.  —  Letters  to  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot.  —  Count  de  Grasse 
takes  St.  Kitts.  —  Little  prospect  of  peace.  —  Measure  adopted  by  Eng- 
land. —  Distress  at  the  inactivity  of  states.  —  Intelligence  from  St. 
Croix. -^  Surrender  of  Brimstone  Hill.  —  Compares  French  and  Eng- 
lish principles  of  war.  —  Captain  Huddy  hanged.  —  Retaliation.  —  Case 
of  Captain  Asgill,  son  of  Sir  Charles.  —  Congress  orders  his  execution. 
—  Earnest  debate.  —  Letters  from  the  commander-in-chief,  king  and 
queen  of  France  and  Lady  Asgill.  —  Life  of  Captain  Asgill  given  to 
king  of  France.  —  False  accounts  allowed  by  Asgill. —  Sir  Archibald 
Campbell,  benevolent  and  honorable.  —  Letter  from  De  Vergennes  to 
General  Washington.  —  Washington's  reply.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  his 
daughter.  —  Advice.  —  Commercial  misfortunes  of  the  capital.  —  French 
nobihty  lose  their  finery.  —  To  Governor  Livingston;  writes  for  Legis- 
lature's instructions  on  New  Hampshire  grants.  —  To  his  daughter,  on 
her  "  launching  into  life." 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes  :  — 

"  Lord  Cornwallis  while  commanding  in  South 
Carolina  had  behaved  with  great  Cruelty  to  the 
Citizens,  in  the  Opinion  of  the  Delegates  from 
that  State,  and  was  specially  charged  with  the 
murder  of  Coll  Hamis  under  pretext  of  Marshal 
Law  —  This  enraged  the  Gentlemen  from  the 
southward  &  particularly  a  Mr.  Middleton  and 
soon  after  Lord  Cornwallis  Capture,  a  Motion 
was  made  in  Congress  that  Gen^  Washington 
should  cause  his  Lordship  to  be  executed  in  re- 
taliation of  Coll  Hamis  and  other  Cruelties  com- 
mitted by  him  —  This  Motion  was  strongly  advo- 
cated by  a  very  large  Party  in  the  House,  and  the 


LORD    CORNWALLIS.  243 

Prospect  of  its  Success  greatly  alarmed  many 
moderate  Members  of  Cons^ress — Mr.  Duane  & 
myself  opposed  it  with  all  our  Powers,  as  contrary 
to  all  good  faith,  having  entered  into  a  Capitula- 
tion with  him,  after  the  Facts  committed  &  hav- 
ing Knowledge  of  them  —  That  it  would  expose 
our  Commander  in  Chief  to  the  Necessity  of  re- 
signing his  Command  or  forfeiting  his  Honor  & 
reputation  &c.  &c.  &c.  —  The  Debate  continued 
several  Days  and  with  great  Difficulty  we  suc- 
ceeded in  putting  a  Negative  on  it  by  a  small 
Majority."^ 

The  "Journal  of  Congress,"  October  25,  1781, 
has  the  following  motion  by  Mr.  Middleton,  sec- 
onded by  Mr.  Motte  :  "  That  general  Washington 
be  directed  to  detain  Earl  Cornwallis  and  the 
officers  captured  in  the  garrison  of  York  and 
Gloucester  until  the  further  order  of  ConQ:ress." 

On  20th  February  of  1782,  he  writes  to  his 
brother  from  Philadelphia :  — 

"  We  have  lately  been  advised  that  Count  de 
Grasse  has  taken  possession  of  St.  Kitts.  The 
Garrison  have  taken  to  the  Fortress  on  Brim- 
stone Hill.  It  is  supposed  the  Enemy  must  have 
capitulated  before  this  —  We  are  also  informed 
that  a  large  Spanish  Fleet  consisting  of  41  Ships 
of  the  Line  16  Frigates  &  4000  men  have  sailed 
from  Cadiz  19  Ships  of  the  Line  &  15000  men 
from  Brest  both  to  join  in  the  latitude  of  Madaira 
I  imagine  the  Truth  is,  that  19  Ships  from  France 

1  Reminiscences  of  E lias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


244  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

&  15000  men  are  actually  sailed  for  the  West 
Indies.  That  4000  men  &  4  men  of  War  have 
sailed  for  the  same  purpose  from  Cadiz  —  That 
these  last  have  been  escorted  to  a  certain  Lati- 
tude by  the  Grand  Fleet  of  Spain.  There  is  not 
the  least  prospect  of  Peace  or  scarcely  a  proba- 
bility of  it  —  on  the  other  hand  every  measure  is 
adopting  in  England  to  send  over  a  large  body  of 
Hanoverians  &  some  English  Regulars  early  in 
the  Spring.  The  Comr  in  chief  expects  the  next 
campaign  is  to  be  the  most  important  of  any  that 
has  been  or  will  be  in  America  this  war — Alas! 
we  are  distressed  with  the  languor  &  Inactivity 
of  the  States  —  All  that  can  be  done  by  Congress, 
has  been,  to  rouse  them  from  their  Lethargy  — 
but  all  is  treated  as  matter  of  course.  We  have 
no  official  Information  of  any  spirited  measure 
taken  by  any  State  in  the  Union,  equal  to  the 
necessity  of  the  Times  —  The  reductions  of  the 
Line  of  the  army  in  point  of  numbers  are  dis- 
tressing—  My  cash  is  all  gone  —  I  most  earnestly 
wish  you  could  get  some  for  me  from  Copper- 
thwait^ — I  can  get  none  from  the  State  The 
expense  here  is  immoderate  "  — 

And  again  on  the  26th,  he  writes :  "  We  have 
not  the  most  distant  prospect  of  Peace.  I  am 
advised  this  moment  that  a  vessel  from  St.  Croix 
brings  Intelligence  of  the  Surrender  of  Brimstone 
Hill  &  that  3  English  Ships  of  the  Line  are  sunk 

1  (Copperthvvait  was  a  debtor.) 


STATE    OF    AFFAIRS.  245 

&  one  French"  On  March  19:  "I  can  only 
deal  in  generals  —  Everything  on  the  other  side 
of  the  Water  looks  favourable  —  We  shall  not  be 
deserted  there  —  No  hopes  of  Peace  from  any 
quarter—  Britain  talks  of  changing  the  War  from 
an  internal  to  a  Naval  War — The  Minority  have 
a  vain  hope  that  if  they  withdraw  their  Troops, 
that  we  will  submit  even  yet  to  the  dominion  of 
the  King  of  Britain  —  We  have  been  amused 
with  a  vague  report  of  the  evacuation  of  Charles 
Town  on  the  24th  Feby  but  I  believe  without 
foundation  in  Truth  —  The  capitulation  of  Brim- 
stone Hill  is  arrived  —  The  French  seem  to  be 
anxious  to  reduce  the  Rules  of  War  to  some 
consistency  with  the  Principles  of  Benevolence. 
The  English  Islands  will  be  almost  tempted  to 
submit  to  the  Gallic  Power  to  obtain  a  happier 
state  than  ever  the  British  Government  allows 
them  —  The  Island  of  St.  Kitts  now  enjoys  a 
right  of  Trade  to  all  the  World  both  Friend  & 
Foe" 

Writing  further  to  his  brother  on  the  subject 
of  engaging  some  trustworthy  person  on  the 
public  business,  he  adds:  "  I  could  venture  some 
expense  out  of  my  own  pockett  for  so  special  a 
public  service  "  ^  — 

In  spite  of  his  convictions  regarding  the  peace, 
he  had  the  pleasure  of  signing  the  treaty  to  that 
effect  in  the  following  year. 

1  From  family  letters. 


246  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MR.    ELISHA   BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  Feb.  26,  1782. 

My  dear  Brother 

I  have  communicated  the  contents  of  your 
letter  to  the  Virginia  Delegates,  who  desire  me 
to  return  you  their  acknowledgments  for  your 
services.  M''  Griffin  is  in  this  Town  &  will  be 
informed  of  it  immediately  —  The  rest  is  sent  by 
Post  to  Virginia  &  will  require  two  Months  be- 
fore you  can  get  an  answer  — 

We  have  not  the  most  distant  prospect  of 
Peace,  but  the  Vigorous  campaigne  on  the  part 
of  the  Enemy  is  in  view  —  I  wish  I  could  say  as 
much  of  the  United  States  —  I  am  fully  of  opin- 
ion that  England  will  draw  out  their  resources  to 
the  utmost,  and  if  there  is  any  vigor  in  the  british 
Lion  yet  left,  we  shall  now  see  it. 

The  South  Carolina,  a  State  Frigate  lately 
arrived  from  Spain  at  the  Havana,  carried  in  with 
her  five  valuable  Jamaica  Men  —  So  that  impov- 
erished State  will  in  a  great  measure  be  reim- 
bursed for  part  of  their  enormous  Expense  attend- 
ing that  vessel. 

Love  to  your  self  &  little  family  in  which  your 
Sister  &  Susan  join 

Am  with  great  affection 
my  D'  Brother 

Yours  Affe'y 

E  B. 

It  may  happen  that  I  may  want  the  most  con- 


CAPTAIN    HUDDY.  247 

fidentlal  Person  for  a  certain  old  Business  —  I 
wish  you  would  turn  your  attention  to  this  Busi- 
ness—  I  could  wish  two  or  three,  one  to  be  sta- 
tionary over  the  Water  —  The  best  pay  wont  be 
wanting^  — 

Mr.  Boudinot  writes :  — 

"In  the  year  1782  Governor  Franklin  at  the 
Head  of  the  Refugees  sent  out  a  party  of  Ref- 
ugees into  the  County  of  Monmouth  New  Jersey 
&  took  a  Capt.  Huddy  Prisoner — By  their  par- 
ticular Orders  he  was  hanged  in  a  very  insulting 
and  cruel  Manner,  under  pretence  of  Retaliation, 
for  a  Person  who  was  shot  in  the  Act  of  running 
away  from  his  Guard  —  This  made  a  great  Noise 
in  our  Camp  &  throughout  the  States  —  Genl 
Washington  saw  the  necessity  of  not  suffering  so 
great  an  Act  of  Barbarity  contrary  to  all  the  Rules 
of  civilized  Warfare,  to  pass  unnoticed  —  He 
therefore  sent  immediate  Orders  to  Lancaster 
where  a  Number  of  British  Ofhcers  (Prisoners) 
were  kept,  to  draw  Lots  for  one  who  should  be 
made  an  Example  of,  by  being  hanged  in  retalia- 
tion for  Huddy,  unless  he  obtained  full  Satisfac- 
tion, by  the  Enemy's  sending  out  the  Author  of 
the  inhuman  Act — Notice  of  this  was  given  to 
Congress  who  readily  approved  the  Measure  — 
Notice  was  also  given  to  the  British  Commander 
in  New  York  ■ —  The  Lot  was  drawn  &  it  fell  on 
Capt.  Asgill,  Son  of  Sir  Charles  Asgill  —  He  was 

1  From  family  letters. 


248  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

accordingly  sent  to  Genl  Washington  at  Morris 
Town  —  A  number  of  Officers  of  his  Corps  at- 
tended him  who  were  allowed  to  remonstrate  to 
their  General  —  The  British  immediately  ordered 
the  Officer  commanding  the  Party  to  be  arrested 
and  tryed  by  a  Court-martial,  notice  of  this  was 
formally  given  to  Genl  Washington  with  a  Re- 
quest that  Asgill's  Execution  might  be  delayed 
till  the  Determination  of  the  Court-martial  was 
known  —  The  Sitting  of  the  Court  was  drawn  out 
to  a  great  length,  when  finally  the  Prisoner  was 
found  guilty  of  Murder  with  Malice  pretense  — 
And  a  Copy  of  the  Proceedings  was  sent  to  Gen^ 
Washington  &  by  him  to  Congress  —  It  clearly 
appeared  from  the  Testimony  that  the  Prisoner 
acted  under  Orders  from  the  Board  of  Refugees, 
of  which  Gov'  Franklin  was  President,  and  that 
tho'  the  Prisoner  might  be  entitled  to  the  Acquit- 
tal, that  yet  Govr  Franklin  was  the  Culprit  & 
should  have  been  punished. 

"  Congress  took  the  Matter  under  full  Consider- 
ation, during  which  Genl  Sir  Guy  Carlton  arrived 
at  New  York  with  the  title  of  Commander  in 
Chief  &  the  preliminary  Articles  of  Peace  were 
announced  —  Genl  Washington  then  wrote  to 
Congress  that  he  had  first  proposed  the  Retalia- 
tion on  Capt.  Asgill  as  an  Act  of  Mercy  on  the 
Whole,  to  put  a  Stop  to  the  Enemy  destroying 
the  Lives  of  our  Citizens  in  the  Future  as  they 
had  done  in  Times  past — That  he  had  deter- 
mined to  carry  it  into  Execution,  not  being  satis- 


CAPTAIN   ASGILL.  249 

fied  with  the  Result  of  the  Court-martial  —  But 
that  unexpectedly  the  preliminary  Articles  of 
Peace  had  wholly  changed  the  Ground  —  The 
Execution  of  an  innocent  Person  ought  to  have 
an  Object  in  view  to  prevent  the  unnecessary 
shedding  of  Blood  —  That  the  Example  now  could 
not  have  any  Effect  as  there  would  be  nothing  for 
it  to  operate  upon  &c.  &c.  That  therefore  he 
should  stay  the  Execution  of  Capt.  Asgill  without 
an  express  Order  from  Congress  to  the  Con- 
trary — 

"  A  very  large  Majority  of  Congress  were  deter- 
mined on  his  Execution,  and  a  Motion  was  made 
for  a  Resolution  positively  ordering  the  immedi- 
ate Execution  —  Mr.  Duane  &  myself  considering 
the  Reasons  assigned  by  the  Commander  in  Chief 
conclusive,  made  all  the  Opposition  in  our  Power 
—  We  urged  every  Argument  that  the  Peculiarity 
of  the  Case  suggested,  and  spent  three  Days  in 
warm  Debate,  during  which  more  ill  Blood  ap- 
peared in  the  House,  than  I  had  seen  —  Near  the 
close  of  the  third  Day,  when  every  Argument  was 
exhausted,  without  any  appearance  of  Success, 
the  Matter  was  brought  to  a  Close,  by  the  Ques- 
tion being  ordered  to  be  taken  —  I  again  rose  and 
told  the  House,  that  in  so  important  a  Case,  where 
the  Life  of  an  innocent  Person  was  concerned,  we 
had  (tho'  in  a  small  Minority)  exerted  ourselves  to 
the  utmost  of  our  Power  —  We  had  acquitted  our 
Consciences  and  washed  our  Hands  clean  from 
the  Blood  of  that  young  Man  —  That  we  saw  his 


250  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

Fate  was  sealed  —  That  we  had  nothing  to  do  but 
request  that  the  Proceedings  should  appear  with- 
out Doors,  as  being  equal  to  the  Occasion,  and 
the  World  should  know  that  we  had  conducted 
the  Measure  with  a  serious  Solemnity  —  That 
great  warmth  had  been  occasioned  —  Some  harsh 
Language  had  taken  Place  —  The  Minds  of 
Gent"  had  been  irritated  —  I  therefore  moved  that 
the  Question  should  be  put  off  till  the  next  Morn- 
ing, on  the  Minority  giving  their  Words,  that  they 
would  not  say  another  Word  on  the  Subject,  but 
the  Question  should  be  taken  in  the  first  Place, 
after  the  Meeting  as  of  course  —  This  was  unan- 
imously agreed  to  — 

"  The  next  Morning  as  soon  as  the  Minutes  were 
read,  the  President  announced  a  Letter  from  the 
Commander  in  Chief  —  On  its  being  read,  he 
stated  the  rec't  of  a  Letter  from  the  King  and 
Queen  of  France  inclosing  one  from  Mrs.  Asgill 
the  Mother  of  Capt.  Asgill  to  the  Queen,  that  on 
the  Whole  was  enough  to  move  the  Heart  of  a 
Savage  —  The  Substance  was  asking  the  Life  of 
young  Asgill  —  This  operated  like  an  electrical 
Shock  —  Each  Member  lookinor  on  his  Neio-hbor, 
in  Surprise,  as  if  saying  here  is  unfair  Play  —  It 
was  suspected  to  be  some  Scheme  of  the  Minor- 
ity —  The  President  was  interrogated  The  Cover 
of  the  Letters  was  called  for —  The  General's  Sig- 
nature was  examined  —  In  Short,  it  looked  so 
much  like  something  supernatural  that  even  the 
Minority,  who  were  so  much  pleased  with  it,  could 


CAPTAIN    ASGILL.  25  I 

scarcely  think  it  real  —  After  being  fully  con- 
vinced of  the  integrity  of  the  Transaction  a  Motion 
was  made  that  the  Life  of  Capt.  Asgill  should 
be  given  as  a  Compliment  to  the  King  of  France 
—  This  was  unanimously  carried  on  which  it  was 
moved  that  the  Commander  in  Chief  should  re- 
mand Capt.  Asgill  to  his  Quarters  at  Lancaster  — 
To  this  I  objected  —  That  as  we  considered 
Capt.  Asgill's  Life  as  forfeited,  &  we  had  given 
him  to  the  King  of  France,  he  was  now  a  free 
Man,  and  therefore  I  moved  that  he  should  be 
immediately  returned  into  New  York,  without 
Exchange  —  This  also  was  unanimously  adopted, 
and  thus  we  got  clear  of  shedding  innocent  Blood, 
by  a  wonderful  Interposition  of  Providence. 

"  Capt.  Asgill  soon  sailed  for  England,  and  on 
his  Arrival,  he  behaved  without  any  sense  of  Ob- 
ligation for  his  Escape  by  suffering  the  most  false 
and  injurious  acc^s  of  his  Liberation  to  be  pub- 
lished in  all  their  Newspapers  without  an  attempt 
to  contradict  them  —  Indeed  I  found  generally, 
that  the  British  Officers  did  not  think  themselves 
bound  to  keep  their  Word  or  perform  Acts  of 
common  Gratitude  &  Generosity  with  Rebels  — 
In  this  Charge  I  refer  to  those  who  were  Prison- 
ers with  us,  but  I  must  here  except  Coll  afterwards 
Sir  Archibald  Campbell,  who  behaved  in  every 
instance  as  a  man  of  strict  Honor  &  unbounded 
Benevolence,  tho'  treated  by  us,  thro'  a  mistake, 
the  worst  of  any  Prisoner  during  the  War^  "  — 

1  Reminiscences  of  Elias  Boudinot,  Library  of  Mr.  John  Carter  Brown. 


252  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

COUNT  DE  VERGENNES  WRITES    TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Versailles  29th  July  1782 

—  I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  to  your  Excellency 
a  copy  of  a  letter  which  Lady  Asgill  has  just  writ- 
ten to  me.  .  .  .  Your  Excellency  will  not  read 
this  letter  without  being  extremely  effected;  It 
had  that  effect  upon  the  King  and  Queen,  to 
whom  I  communicated  it  —  The  goodness  of  their 
Majesties'  hearts  enduces  them  to  desire,  that  the 
inquietudes  of  an  unfortunate  Mother  may  be 
calmed  and  her  tenderness  reassured. 

.  .  .  There  is  one  consideration,  Sir,  which, 
though  it  is  not  decisive,  may  have  an  influence 
on  your  resolutions  —  Capt  Asgill  is  doubtless 
your  prisoner,  but  he  is  among  those  w^hom  the 
Arms  of  the  King  contributed  to  put  into  your 
hands  at  Yorktown,  although  this  circumstance 
does  not  act  as  a  safeguard,  it  however  justifies 
the  interest  I  permit  myself  to  take  in  this  affair  — 
If  it  is  in  your  power.  Sir,  to  consider  and  have 
regard  to  it,  you  will  do  what  is  agreeable  to  their 
Majesties 

Genl  Washington  had  taken  this  view  &  called 
attention  to  the  fact  that  Capt  Asgill' was  a  capit- 
ulation Officer — He  had  also  written  a  private 
letter  to  Duane  complaining  bitterly  of  the  delay 
of  Congress  in  this  matter  and  their  not  sending 
him  their  decision  &  further  instructions  regard- 
ing his  action.^ 

1  Jared  Sparks's  Washington  writings,  vol.  viii.  p.  550  (Appendix). 


LETTER   TO    HIS    DAUGHTER.  253 

Washington  in  his  reply  to  Count  de  Vergennes 
says : — 

"  After  I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your 
Excellency's  letter  of  the  29th  July  I  lost  not  a 
moment  in  transmitting  it  to  Congress  —  What 
would  otherwise  have  been  the  determination  of 
that  honourable  body  I  will  not  undertake  to  say 
but  I  think  I  may  undertake  to  assure  your  Ex- 
cellency, that  your  generous  interposition  had  no 
small  degree  of  weight  in  procuring  that  decision 
in  favour  of  Capt  Asgill." 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS    DAUGHTER. 

Philadelphia  Oct.  2^  1782. 

My  Dear  Susan 

Altho'  I  have  not  rec^  any  answer  to  mine  by 
Martin,  yet  yours  of  the  21^^  Ultimo  gave  me 
great  Pleasure  as  it  convinced  me  that  you  had 
it  in  contemplation  to  keep  up  a  correspondence 
with  your  Fond  Father  —  I  hope  the  long  Jaunt 
you  have  had  to  Rareton,  will  enable  you  to  de- 
vote a  proper  Portion  of  your  Time  now,  to  useful 
Improvement;  Nothing  but  the  want  of  health 
should  prevent  your  close  application  to  cultivate 
your  understanding  Remember  you  have  yet  a 
great  deal  to  do  and  but  a  short  time  to  do  it 
in  —  Make  it  a  rule  to  gain  some  useful  know- 
ledge every  Day  and  your  stock  will  then  properly 
increase  —  Do  not  neglect  your  writing,  in  which 
I  include  spelling  —  This  art  is  only  to  be  gained 
by   Practice :    The  best   Precepts  in  the  World 


254  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

would  be  in  vain  without  it  and  in  every  sense 
of  the  words  in  this  instance  "  Practice  makes 
Perfect "  — 

I  sent  you  by  Dickey  two  Pounds  of  Powder 
—  I  now  forward  by  M'  Martin  a  book  M'  B. 
promised  —  ^ 

There  is  nothing  new  in  the  gay  World  —  The 
commercial  misfortunes  of  the  Capital  moderates 
the  Extravagance  of  the  City  greatly  —  There  are 
a  great  number  of  the  French  Nobility  here,  but 
they  also  received  a  check  by  the  Loss  of  all 
their  finery  in  the  Frigate  that  was  taken  at  the 
Capes 

M"'  &  Miss  Moore  ask  very  kindly  after  you  & 
your  Mama,  M''  Rush  &  family— M^^  Rush  & 
Miss  Beckey  all  send  love  &c. 

Am  my  dearest  child  with  sweetest  Love  & 

Esteem 

your  most  Affec^  Father 

Boudinot/ 

The  Newspaper  enclosed  is  for  your  particular 

attention. 

Miss  BOUDINOT 

Baskiiwridge 

MR.  BOUDINOT   TO    HIS   EXCELLENCY    GOVERNOR    LIVING- 
STON. 

Philadelphia,  Oct'  2f  1782. 

Dear  Sir 

I  have  long  been  of  opinion  that  in  all  great 
Questions,  which  are  agitated  in  Congress,  espe- 
cially relating  to  domestic  Concerns,  the  Delegates 

1  Family  letters. 


NEW  HAMPSHIRE  GRANTS.         255 

from  each  State  should  consult  their  respective 
Constituents,  when  it  may  easily  be  done,  at  least 
as  to  general  Principles  —  The  Legislature  being 
now  met,  I  must  beg  leave,  through  your  Excel- 
lency, to  state  to  them  the  leading  facts  of  a  very 
important  and  interesting  Question  now  under 
the  Consideration  of  Congress,  and  which  is  set 
down  for  determination  on  Wednesday  next ;  on 
which  I  hope  for  the  Legislatures  Instructions, 
on  such  general  Principles  as  will  necessarily 
lead  to  the  final  determination  —  The  dispute  I 
refer  to,  is  that  of  the  People  on  the  New  Hamp- 
shire Grants,  calling  themselves  the  State  of  Ver- 
mont—  When  I  took  my  seat  in  Congress,  I 
found  this  Controversy  on  the  Table  of  Congress, 
having  been  submitted  to  their  Determination 
previous  to  the  Confederation,  by  the  States  of 
New  Hampshire  &  New  York,  and  the  People 
stiling  themselves  the  State  of  Vermont,  on  the 
principles  of  the  Confederation  then  in  an  incom- 
plete, unfinished  state  —  A  hearing  was  thereupon 
had  before  Congress,  when  the  States  of  New 
Hampshire  &  New  York  produced  many  docu- 
ments in  support  of  their  different  claims  (Massa- 
chusetts one  of  the  claiming  States,  not  attending 
but  agreeing  to  relinquish  their  Right,  provided 
the  district  was  made  an  independent  State)  the 
first  founded  on  this  Territory  being  within  their 
Purchase  under  the  Plymouth  Company,  &  long 
possessed  by  them  —  the  second  adding  to  a  con- 
tinual Claim  the  determination  of  the   King  in 


256  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Council  in  the  year  1764  in  their  favour  founded 
on  the  Patent  to  the  Duke  of  York  —  The  People 
of  Vermont  urged  their  having  been  several  years 
independent  de  facto  and  in  the  exercise  of  sov- 
ereign Power  protested  ag*  any  Power  in  the 
World  interfering  with  it  and  insisted  that  their 
Boundaries  only  were  submitted  to  the  determi- 
nation of  Congress.  —  Thus  the  Business  stood 
undetermined,  when  we  were  informed  that  Ver- 
mont had  extended  her  Claim  &  Jurisdiction 
Eastward  into  New  Hampshire,  where  51  Towns 
had  voluntarily  submitted  to  her  Authority;  and 
to  the  Westward,  she  extended  quite  to  the  North 
River  —  That  the  People  were  defending  them- 
selves ag^  the  States  of  New  Hampshire  &  New 
York  by  force  of  arms  —  Soon  after,  we  rec^  au- 
thentic Intelligence  that  some  leading  People  in 
Vermont  had  met  Commissioners  from  General 
Haldiman,  with  whom  Terms  had  been  agreed 
on,  for  a  Submission  to  Great  Britain  —  That 
these  Terms  had  been  sent  to  the  Commissioners 
for  Peace  &c  at  New  York  for  their  Ratification, 
and  by  them  to  England  for  Instructions  —  That 
General  Clinton  laid  great  Stress  on  this  Measure 
and  had  expressed  Hopes  thereby  to  conquer  the 
Northern  States  — 

The  peculiar  Circumstances  of  this  People  and 
the  danger  of  a  civill  war  among  ourselves,  at  a 
Time  when  we  found  difficulty  enough,  in  carry- 
ing on  the  war  ag*  the  Common  Enemy;  led 
Congress  to  leave  the  Ground  on  which  the  dis- 


STATE    OF   VERMONT.  257 

piite,  as  submitted  to  them,  then  stood ;  and  con- 
sidering themselves  the  Guardians  of  the  general 
Interests  of  the  United  States,  and  in  duty  bound 
to  prevent  every  Injury  to  the  union  and  particu- 
larly such  as  threatened  their  Existence  as  a  Na- 
tion, took  the  matter  up,  in  a  general  &  extensive 
View  &  with  the  Consent  of  Nine  States,  passed 
the  Resolutions  of  the  f^  &  20*^  of  August  1781 
—  The  People  of  Vermont  were  then  met  in  gen- 
eral Assembly,  including  representatives  from  the 
Eastern  and  Western  Incroachments  —  These  to- 
gether imprudently  rejected  the  Terms  proposed 
by  Congress  in  those  resolutions  But  soon  after, 
before  any  farther  Steps  taken  by  Congress,  their 
Assembly  again  met,  and  by  a  public  Act,  re- 
linquished &  disclaimed  those  Incroachments, 
thereby  complying  with  the  Terms  proposed  and 
immediately  forwarded  delegates  to  Congress  — 

A  Committee  was  accordingly  appointed  to 
Confer  with  these  Delegates  or  Commissioners, 
who  reported  to  Congress,  as  appears  by  the 
Journals ;  but  no  determination  on  this  report 
could  be  obtained,  it  being  alleged  that  Congress 
was  not  bound  by  the  s^  resolutions  of  August, 
and  New  York  solemnly  protested  ag*  the  Power 
of  Congress  to  determine  otherwise  than  agree- 
able to  &  under  the  Submission,  which  also  ap- 
pears on  the  Journals  —  Your  Excellency  will  see 
the  reports  and  Acts  of  Congress  on  the  printed 
Journals,  I  left  with  the  House  last  Fall  —  The 
great  Questions  necessary  for  the  Consideration 
of  Congress,  I  consider  will  be 


258  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

i^*  On  the  Submission  of  the  s^  States,  ought 
Congress  to  determine,  any  part  of  a  former  Col- 
ony (who  have  separated  from  the  same,  at  the 
beginning  of  the  revolution,  and  are  in  the  actual 
Exercise  of  an  independent  Sovereignty  de  facto) 
to  be  independent  de  Jure  and  receive  them  into 
the  Union  as  a  fourteenth  State  — 

2^  Can  Congress  as  sovereign  Guardians  of  the 
United  States,  when  they  conceive  the  general 
Safety  of  the  common  Cause  shall  require  it,  re- 
ceive into  the  Union  as  a  separate  State,  any 
Territory  &  People  in  the  actual  Possession  of 
Sovereignty  &  Independence  de  facto,  without 
examining  into  &  determining  the  Right  &  Title 
of  such  People  de  Jure  — 

3"^  In  the  present  State  &  Circumstances  of  the 
People  styling  themselves  the  State  of  Vermont, 
ought  Congress  to  receive  them  into  the  Union, 
as  an  independent  State  agreeable  to  the  resolves 
of  7'^  &  20'^  August  1 78 1  — 

4^^  In  case  Congress  shall  refuse  to  receive 
them  (as  is  most  likely)  ought  the  Delegates  of 
New  Jersey  to  agree  to  the  sending  the  Conti- 
nental Army  or  a  sufficient  part  thereof,  in  the 
s^  Territory,  to  subdue  the  Inhabitants  to  the 
obedience  &  Subjection  of  the  State  or  States 
that  claim  their  allegiance  — 

In  the  past  altercations  on  these  subjects,  your 
Delegates  have  generally  considered  the  Congress 
as  Sovereign  Guardians  of  the  whole  Union,  and 
that  they  ought  to  prefer  the  general  Good  to 
every  private  Interest  of  a  particular  State. 


QUESTIONS    TO    BE    CONSIDERED.  259 

That  the  shedding  the  Blood  of  our  Citizens, 
and  all  civill  war  among  ourselves,  at  so  critical  a 
period,  should  be  strenuously  avoided  —  That  a 
sovereignty  &  Independence  de  facto  was  a  suffi- 
cient reason  under  the  Circumstances  for  Con- 
gress to  admit  into  the  Union,  without  examining 
into  the  Right  de  Jure,  agreeable  to  the  strong 
reasoning  of  his  most  Christian  Majesty,  in  his 
answer  to  the  Justificative  Memorial  of  the  King 
of  Great  Brittain,  sent  herewith  — 

If  your  delegates  have  acted  contrary  to  the 
Opinion  of  their  Constituents,  they  wish  to  be  set 
right,  while  it  is  in  their  Power  to  prevent  any 
evill  Consequences  arising  from  it  —  We  have 
reason  to  believe,  that  the  Matter  will  certainly 
be  brought  on,  on  Wednesday  next  — 

I  have  two  reasons  for  pressing  the  Sentiments 
of  the  Legislature  on  this  subject — i^^  It  has 
been  asserted,  that  we  have  been  acting  contrary 
to  the  Opinion  of  our  State  —  2^^^  I  claim  1000 
Acres  of  Land,  in  this  Territory  under  the  Titles 
of  New  Hampshire  &  New  York  both,  and  altho 
I  consider  them  as  of  but  very  trifling  Value,  yet 
it  may  hereafter  be  objected,  that  I  was  influenced 
by  considerations,  which  I  hope  ever  to  despise  — 

Your  Excellency  by  laying  this  Letter  before 
the  Legislature,  and  communicating  their  Senti- 
ments will  much  oblige  me  — 

I  have  also  another  Matter  relative  to  the 
Interest  of  the  State,  to  lay  before  the  Legis- 
lature,  that  I  think  worthy  their    Notice — The 


26o  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

united  States  are  looking  forward  to  the  call- 
ing in  the  Quota's  of  the  States,  of  the  Conti- 
nental money  —  An  alarm  has  gone  forth,  that 
the  State  of  Massachusetts  has  in  their  Treasury 
so  large  a  Portion  of  this  Paper,  that  some  of  the 
deficiency  States  will  be  obliged  to  purchase  of  her 
at  a  high  rate  —  I  have  lately  discovered  that  Con- 
necticut has  sent  an  Express  Messenger  to  Vir- 
ginia &  purchased  a  Sum  equal  to  her  deficiency 
at  a  very  low  Rate  indeed  —  If  our  State  has  not 
made  up  her  Quota,  it  would  certainly  be  a  pru- 
dent step  to  appoint  some  Person  to  purchase  the 
sum  wanting  without  delay — It  can  be  now  had 
in  Virginia,  at  5  or  600  for  one  —  It  is  my  Duty  to 
make  this  Communication,  the  Legislature  will 
make  such  use  of  it,  as  they  may  think  convenient 
—  I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect  & 
Esteem 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obed.  Hble  Servt 

Elias  Boudinot 

His  Excellency  Governor  Livingston. 

This  letter  was  to  go  by  Mr  Condit,  but  he  left 
Town  without  acquainting  me  with  it^  — 

MR.    BOUUINOT   TO    HIS    DAUGHTER, 

Philadelphia  Oct'  30*''  1782. 

My  dearest  Susan 

Your  letter  of  the  19^^  lies  unanswered  altho'  I 
am  still  a  letter  ahead  of  you,  but  as  it  is  said  in 

1  Original  in  collection  of  General   Stryker,  Trenton,  N.  J. ;  copy  in 
Pennsylvania  Historical  Society.^ 


ADVICE    TO    HIS    DAUGHTER.  26 1 

an  invaluable  Book  of  Antiquity,  that,  the  Elder 
shall  serve  the  Younger,  perhaps  you  may  think 
it  right  that  I  should  go  on  laying  you  in  debt — ^ 
I  propose  this  letter  as  a  serious  one  —  I  have 
for  some  time  past  been  led  by  circumstances  to 
reflect  more  seriously  on  the  prospect  of  your 
launching  into  life  and  leaving  your  Father's  Roof, 
as  well  as  his  immediate  protection  &  Guardian- 
ship —  I  have  reflected  how  far  I  have  done  my 
Duty  in  executing  the  Trust  committed  to  me,  by 
the  great  Governor  of  the  Universe  in  your  Edu- 
cation —  in  a  proper  Provision  for  you  in  Life  — -■ 
in  preparing  you  for  usefulness  in  whatever  station 
it  may  please  God  to  call  you  —  and  laying  a 
rational  foundation  by  the  aid  of  Divine  Grace  for 
your  enjoyment  of  a  glorious  &  happy  Immortal- 
ity in  the  Life  to  come  —  Through  the  unmerited 
Blessing  of  a  kind  Providence,  I  cannot  blame 
myself  greatly  for  any  deficiency  in  your  education 
&  Provision  for  Life  —  Nature  wants  but  little 
and  not  that  little  long — I  have  confidence  in 
you,  that  if  you  make  good  use  of  and  continue 
improving  those  Abilities  &  that  knowledge  you 
now  possess,  your  usefulness  in  this  Life  under 
God  may  be  of  some  importance  to  your  fellow 
Creatures.  But  my  dear  child  all  these  are  but 
secondary  objects  —  How  stands  it  as  to  your 
preparation  for  and  hope  in  the  prospects  of  a 
joyful  Immortality  .  .  .  May  the  God  of  your 
Parents  for  many  generations  past  seal  Instruction 
to  your  soul  &  lead  you  to  himself  thro'  the  Blood 


262  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

of  his  too  generally  displsed  Son  who  notwith- 
standing is  still  reclaiming  the  World  to  God 
thro'  that  Blood,  not  imputing  to  them  their  sins, 
to  him  be  Glory  for  ever  — 

I  have  wrote  this  in  Congress  amidst  a  warm 
debate  to  which  I  have  been  obliged  to  attend 
at  the  same  time,  therefore  you  must  make  the 
necessary  corrections  yourself  — 

My  kind  love  to  all  who  think  it  worth  while  to 
enquire  after  me 

Am  my  dearest  Susan 

Your  Very  AfP  Father 

Elias  Boudinot 

Miss  BOUDTNOT 

This  is  a  very  long  and  earnest  letter,  much  of 
which  has  been  omitted  for  lack  of  space,  and  his 
anxiety  for  his  daughter  and  desire  to  entirely  fulfil 
his  duty  causes  him  to  pursue  the  subject  in  two 
letters  which  followed. 

1  Family  letters. 


CHAPTER   XIV. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mrs.  Boudinot,  on  taking  the  President's  chair.  —  Direc- 
tions for  settling  their  affairs,  and  what  to  bring.  —  Anxious  for  her 
arrival.  —  To  Hon.  John  Hanson,  Esq.  —  To  his  brother;  congratula- 
tions.—  To  Mrs.  Boudinot;  when  to  start  for  Philadelphia.  —  Reports 
of  Committee  on  Household  Expenses  of  President.  —  To  Mr.  Robert 
Morris  regarding  coach. — To  Gen.  Washington ;  his  pleasure  in  cor- 
responding; honored  by  congratulations ;  Osgood's  deposition. — To 
Hon.  George  Read ;  presents  commission  as  Judge  of  Court  of  Appeals. 
—  To  Governor  of  Rhode  Island  ;  duty  on  imports ;  sends  deputation 
to  explain  situation  ;  propose  to  procure  loans  abroad.  —  To  General 
Washington ;  letters  from  agent  at  Cadiz ;  evacuation  of  Charleston ; 
incloses  letter  to  Thomas  Chittendon,  Esq.,  with  resolutions  of  Con- 
gress ;  embarkation  from  New  York.  —  To  Hon.  John  Lowell,  Esq., 
inclosing  commission  as  judge. 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia,  Nov  4th 
1782 

My  DEAREST  Love 

What  shall  I  say,  or  how  shall  I  reconcile  my 
beloved  Wife  to  the  changeable  conduct  of  her 
most  affectionate  Husband  —  The  things  of  this 
World  are  as  uncertain  as  the  Wind  —  not  to  be 
depended  on  for  a  moment  —  I  have  been  pleas- 
ing myself  with  the  approaching  Enjoyment  of 
my  dear  Wife  &  Family  in  domestic  Retirement 
during  the  coming  Winter —  But  Providence  has 
otherwise  determined  for  us  —  This  moment  I 
have  accepted  the  President's  chair  of  Congress, 
not  without  a  trembling  hand  —  The  confusion 
of  my  affairs  and  the  total  derangement  of  all  my 


264  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Plans  and  indeed  the  great  loss  &  Expense  that 
must  ensue  to  me  in  my  circumstances  with  the 
difficulties  that  will  necessarily  devolve  on  you, 
have  not  been  unthought  of  by  me  —  They  have 
rushed  into  my  mind  in  thick  succession  —  But 
these  reflections  even  are  now  in  vain  —  The 
ways  of  Providence  are  in  the  great  Deep  —  I 
write  this  in  a  hurry  that  I  may  improve  an  op- 
portunity to  Princeton  to  be  forwarded  by  Express 
to  you  for  the  first  Intelligence  of  it  —  Lose  not 
a  moment  Begin  immediately  to  arrange  your 
affairs  —  You  must  be  here  without  delay —  The 
arrangement  &  disposition  of  my  affairs  all  must 
fall  on  you  —  God  only  knows  how  you  are  to 
manage  with  them  or  get  through  them  —  M' 
Pintard  must  help  you 

Ever  my  dearest  Love 

Yours  as  always 

Elias  Boudinot^ 

M"  BOUDINOT  — 

He  writes  to  his  wife  on  Oct.  22,  1782  :  — 
"  I  rejoice  that  the  time  is  drawing  nigh  in 
which  I  hope  to  be  permitted  once  more  to  revisit 
my  humble  but  beloved  cottage  —  My  affection  is 
not  placed  on  it  because  it  is  really  a  cottage  ^  & 
my  own  but  because  it  contains  the  most  precious 
earthly  comforts  with  which  a  gracious  God  has 
blessed  me."  But  in  two  weeks  time,  he  says: 
"  I  have  wrote  you  in  the  hurry  &  confusion  of 
the  Times,  twice  since  Monday  Morning  "  (being 

1  Family  letters.  2  xhis  was  the  cottage  at  Baskinridge. 


ARRANGEMENTS  FOR  MOVING  TO  PHILADELPHIA.    265 

the  date  of  his  election  as  president)  "  I  there- 
fore need  not  repeat  the  Important  Transactions 
of  that  Day  —  Suffice  It  to  say,  that  every  day 
will  appear  a  week  till  you  come  here  —  The 
Office  I  now  fill  —  your  Friends  —  The  Season 
of  the  year,  and  what  I  hope  will  have  its  weight, 
your  affectionate  Husband  —  all  require  you  to 
make  no  delay  —  I  am  conscious  this  is  a  heavy 
task,  and  how  you  are  to  execute  It  Iknow  not  — 
God  only  knows  who  can  &  will  help  you."  There 
follows  advice  as  to  arrangements  for  settling  the 
household  and  family  to  be  left  behind,  what  ser- 
vants, furniture,  horses,  etc.,  to  bring.  "  Phlllis 
and  Prince  are  to  come,  Lane  and  the  plate ;  "  a 
wagon  is  to  be  loaded  and  sent  with  "  Josey,"  —  she 
and  "  Sukey"  "to  come  to  Princeton  in  the  chair," 
"  Escorted  by  one  of  your  Gallants  where  I  will 
send  the  coach  or  perhaps  a  Phaeton  to  transport 
you  to  the  most  w^elcome  Place  you  will  meet  with 
in  this  world,  I  mean  the  arms  &  Heart  of  your 
affectionate  Husband  "  ^ 

THE  HONORABLE  JOHN  HANSON,  ESQ.,  LATE  PRESIDENT 
OF  CONGRESS. 

Philadelphia  November  5th  1782. 

Dear  Sir 

It  gives  me  real  pleasure,  that  among  the  first 
duties  of  my  office,  I  am  honoured  with  the  agree- 
able commands  of  Congress,  to  communicate 
their  unanimous  vote  of  Thanks,  for  your  valu- 

1  From  family  letters. 


266  .    ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

able  and  important  services,  while  in   the   chair 
of  Congress. 

Be  assured  Sir,  that  you  can  only  form  an  Idea 
of  the  satisfaction  I  enjoy  on  this  occasion,  by 
consulting  your  own  feelings  on  receiving  this 
grateful  and  honourable  testirnony  of  your  Coun- 
try's approbation. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  every  sentiment  of 
respect  and  esteem, 

Sir,  Your  &c. 

Elias  Boudinot  ^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MR.    ELISHA    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  Nov.  14""  1782. 

My  dear  Brother 

Your  affectionate  letter  of  yesterday  has  been 
just  handed  me  —  I  accept  your  congratulations 
with  Pleasure  and  earnestly  pray  to  God  that  I 
may  go  through  my  year  to  the  advantage  of  my 
country  &  be  so  happy  as  to  retire  to  private  life 
at  the  end  of  it  &  with  the  pleasing  reflection  that 
American  Independence  was  finally  established 
in  the  year  1783  by  an  unequivocal,  honorable  & 
lasting  Peace  ...  It  is  very  late  and  I  can  only 
add  that  I  should  have  been  very  glad  to  have 
seen  you  My  kind  love  to  M'  &  M''  Smith  Sister 
&  all  the  family 

Am  my  dear  Brother 

Yours  affect^y 

Elias  Boudinot^ 

Elisha  Boudinot  Esq' 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No,  i6,  p.  156,  MSS.  Archives, 
Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 

2  Family  letters. 


DIRECTIONS    FOR    MRS.    BOUDINOT.  267 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MRS.    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  Nov.  I3'>'  1782 

My  DEAREST  Love 

It  is  matter  of  real  grief  &  sorrow  to  me  that 
I  should  ever  be  the  cause  of  a  distressing  or 
uneasy  Hour  to  one  who  I  esteem  above  all  the 
Honors  or  Riches  of  this  Transitory  Life.  I 
feared  greatly  that  the  change  of  Station  would 
not  be  pleasing,  as  I  was  sure  the  derangement  of 
my  affairs  and  the  additional  Labor  cast  on  you, 
would  be  perplexing  —  but  I  remembered  and 
doubt  not  but  you  will  remember  that  God  has 
ever  been  the  director  of  our  Path  and  the  Guide 
of  our  Ways —  It  is  not  the  first  Time  that  he 
has  led  us  in  the  way  which  we  knew  not  and  set 
our  feet  in  a  Strong  Place  —  We  have  embarked 
in  his  service,  and  it  is  our  part  to  see  that  we  do 
his  will  and  act  with  a  single  eye  to  his  Glory  and 
all  will  be  well  — 

Your  affectionate  &  tender  letter  was  read  as 
usual  with  a  hearty  and  earnest  welcome  —  M'" 
Remsen  had  arrived  here  the  Evening  before  & 
returned  this  Morning  —  As  to  directions  I  can- 
not collect  my  Thoughts  sufficiently  to  aid  you  — 
In  general  dispose  of  those  things  that  you  can 
sell  to  advantage  —  The  Hay  had  best  be  kept  & 
M*"  Pintard  to  sell  it  towards  the  Spring  —  I  give 
\2£.  p.  Ton  here  &  3  dollars  for  carting.  Let  the 
Stack  in  M'  Southards  field  be  first  used  —  as  to 
servants —  I  have  one  good  negro  man  &  can  get 


268  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

another —  Phillls  will  do  better  under  her  Mother 
than  a  stranger,  bring  Jude  as  a  chamber  maid  — 
I  will  enclose  a  list  of  the  general  furniture,  which 
will  direct  you  what  to  bring  —  The  House  is 
very  indifferently  furnished  and  the  finances  are 
too  low  to  get  any  more  —  I  suppose  the  neces- 
sary etceteras  for  first  beginning  of  the  winter 
such  as  Wood,  Hay,  Wine  &c.  will  require  at 
least  1500  dollars  —  You  had  best  bring  one 
suit  of  curtains,  or  perhaps  Susan  must  go  with- 
out .  .  .  But  now  as  to  the  grand  Point  I  cannot 
think  of  your  staying  longer  than  this  You  must 
set  off  on  Monday  next  at  farthest  I  am  like 
a  Pelican  in  the  Wilderness  —  I  shall  certainly 
expect  you  if  the  weather  is  good  on  Tuesday 
Night  —  Your  brother  Sammy  is  to  Squire  you 
from  Princeton  —  I  am  very  anxious  for  your 
arrival  least  the  Weather  should  change  yet  I 
am  loath  to  hurry  you  —  I  have  30  Gent"  to  dine 
with  me  today  —  What  a  figure  I  cut  all  alone  — 
My  Time  &  Paper  will  only  admit  of  assuring  you 
My  dearest  Love 

E.  — B.  — ^ 
(bring  with  you  all  your  Plate) 

Mrs  BouDiNOT 

The  following  gives  some  insight  into  the  ex- 
penses of  the  president's  household,  given  as 
written  in  reports  of  committees  :  — 

"  The  Committee  appointed  to  report  a  proper 
allowance  for  the  honourable  gentlemen  who  have 

1  Family  letters. 


president's  household  expenses.        269 

been  or  may  be  elected  Presidents  of  Congress  to 
defray  the  Expenses  incidental  to  the  ofHce  — 
having  taken  the  same  into  consideration  beg 
Leave  to  report  the  following  Resolution 

"  Resolved  that  a  convenient  furnished  dwell- 
ing house  be  hired  and  a  Stable  Carriage  & 
Servants  provided  at  the  public  expense  for  the 
President  of  Congress  for  the  Time  being 

"  That  the  Committee  on  the  Treasury  appoint 
and  agree  with  a  Steward  who  shall  have  the 
Superintendence  of  the  household  of  the  Presi- 
dent &  of  the  necessary  Expenditures  &  be  an- 
swerable for  such  monies  as  shall  from  time  to 
time  be  advanced  for  the  purposes  aforesaid 

"  That  the  representation 
of  the  late  Hon 

Mr  Randolph  That  the  Hon  M"*  Middleton  that 
the  Honor^^  M""  Hancock  &  the  Honourable  Mr 
Lawrence  formerly  Presidents  of  Congress 

"  Be  requested  to  lay  before  the  Board  of  Trea- 
sury accounts  of  their  Expenditures  in  support  of 
their  households  while  they  respectively  exercised 
the  OfKice  of  President:  in  order  to  their  being 
adjusted  &  paid  out  of  the  public  Treasury  — ^ 

(Endorsed) 
Report  of  the  Committee 
on  allowance  to  Presidents 
for  the  incidental  Expenses  of 
that  office 
Brought  in  12  Dec  1778. 

passed  Dec  16  — 

1  Department  of  State,  Washington,  Reports  of  Committees,  No.  23, 
p.  353. 


270  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

*'  The  Committee  to  whom  was  referred  the  Ar- 
rangement of  the  Presidents  House,  report  the 
following  Resolutions^ — 

"Resolved  that  the  Attendants  of  the  Presidents 

House  consists  of    one  Steward   &  such  others 

as    may  be   found   necessary   not  exceeding 

Eight  that  they  be  appointed  &  removed  at 

Pleasure  by  the  President  of  Congress. 

"  That  all  sums  of  money,  necessary  for 
the  Expenses  of  the  House,  be  drawn  for 
by  the  President  and  paid  for  by  the  Steward 

*'  That  the   Steward  keep  a  rcQ-ular  Ac- 

Pass**  .  . 

count  of  all  Receipts  &  Disbursements  and 
of  Furniture  &  Utensils  broken,  lost,  or  purchased 
&  deliver  to  the  Secretary  of  the  President,  on 
the  first  Day  of  every  Month  a  fair  copy  thereof  ^ 

(Endorsed) 

N**  3.     Report  of  Comm*'  on  Arrangement  of 

Pres''  Household 

Passed  Nov  21"  17812 

1783 
Feby. 

By  Household  Expenses  of  the 
President  of 

Congress,  from  2^  Sep.  to  31  Dec'' 
1782,  including  the  purchase 
of  a  Coach,  i  p'"  Horses,  Har- 
ness, China,  Queen's  Ware, 
Servants  Wages  &c S^SiS-^o 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of    State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Report 
of  Committee,  No.  23,  p.  355. 

2  Department  of  Stat€,  Washington,  Reports  of  Committees,  No.  23,  p. 
353- 


PRESIDENTS    HOUSE.  27 1 

By  R""  Phillips  his  new  account 

for  the  Balance 36.30 

(Endorsed). 
Expenses  of  Presd" 
Household.! 

"  The  Committee  consisting  of 

"  To  whom  was  referred  an  application  from  the 
President  respecting  the  present  deranged  state 
of  the  Household  —  submit  the  following  report 

"  That  as  it  is  inexpedient  for  the  President  to 
keep  more  than  one  House  at  the  public  Expense 
such  House  should  be  near  the  Place  where  Con- 
gress sits 

and  that  He  write  to  the  Superintendent  of  Fi- 
nance to  give  up  the  House  in  which  the  Presi- 
dent lately  lived  in  Philadelphia  ^ 

(Endorsed) 

Report  of  M^  Williamson 

M""  Izard 

M^  Clarke 

On  Information  of  the  Pres*  relative  to  his  household 

En* 

Read  August  ii*''  1783 
Aug*  14'^  1783  postponed  sine  die  ^ 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of   State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Reports 
of  Committees,  No.  23,  p.  365. 

2  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Reports 
of  Committees,  No.  23,  p,  357. 

8  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Reports  of 
Committees,  No.  23,  p.  359. 


272  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

"  Resolved  .  .  .  that  the  President  take  a  house 
proper  for  his  accommodation."  ^ 

MR.  BOUDINOT   TO    HON.    ROBERT    MORRIS. 

Philadelphia  21'*  Nov™  1783 

Sir. 

I  lately  informed  you  that  Mr.  Hanson  had 
spoke  to  Mr.  Way  for  a  Coach ;  on  Conversing 
with  him  on  the  subject  he  informed  me  that  if 
he  made  it  with  a  Crane  Neck  and  finished  it 
properly  he  must  have  5.00^  for  it,  he  would  do 
it  without  delay  —  a  few  days  afterwards,,  Informa- 
tion was  brought  me,  that  the  most  elegant  Coach 
in  the  Town  was  to  be  sold  much  Cheaper  than  a 
new  one  could  be  now  had  for ;  I  sent  for  Mr. 
Way  &  prevailed  on  him  to  go  &  Examine  it  for 
me ;  on  his  return  Acknowledged  that  it  was  one 
of  his  own  make,  had  been  used  but  a  few  times 
and  exceeded  any  thing  he  could  now  make  for 
want  of  such  materials  &  it  had  actually  cost  him 
500^.  he  consenting 

Mr.  Hanson  when  I  made  Application  as  a 
purchaser  agreed  for  it  at  300^.  including  a  new 
sett  of  Harness  &  putting  on  the  Publick  Arms 
—  I  have  also  agreed  for  a  pair  of  Horses  & 
wine  for  the  Family  both  Maderia  and  Claret  — 
The  Payments  are  to  be  made  in  20  days;  I 
thought  it  best  to  give  you  this  early  notice  of  it 
that  you  may  not  be  called  on  unexpectedly  for 
the  Money ;  The  whole  will  be  about  600^.     If 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Reports 
of  Committees,  No.  23,  p.  359. 


K    .'  ^ 

LETTER   TO    GENERAL   WASHINGTON.  273 

the  old  Coach  was  advertised  for  sale  perhaps  it 
would  bring  150^.  as  it  has  a  Crane  Neck  —  I 
have  got  the  silver  from  the  Treasurer  Consisting 
of  knives  forks  &  spoons  to  the  amount  near  100 
oz  but  they  by  no  means  suit  my  purpose  except 
the  desert  spoons  (which  are  only  large  tea- 
spoons) &  three  (?)  doz  large  spoons  But  as  there 
is  neither  Tea  Pott  or  Coffee  Pott  in  the  House 
I  think  they  had  best  be  exchanged  or  sold  for 
those  necessary  pieces  of  Plate 

I  am  yours  &c. 

E.    BOUDINOT.^ 

The  Honorable  Rob'^  Morris  Esq' 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    GENERAL 
WASHINGTON. 

Dear  Sir 

Your  Excellencys  several  favors  of  the  30*^' 
October,  i^*  and  19^^  instant  which  have  come  to 
hand  since  I  had  the  honor  of  filling  the  Presi- 
dent's Chair,  have  been  duly  laid  before  Con- 
gress. 

You  will  believe  me,  Sir,  when  I  assure  you,  that 
the  correspondence  and  communication,  which  my 
office  necessarily  opens  with  your  Excellency,  is 
one  among  the  few  special  advantages  and  agree- 
able engagements,  which  I  promise  myself  during 
my  continuance  in  so  arduous  a  station. 

I  feel  myself  greatly  honoured  by  your  con- 
gratulations, and  rank  them  among  the  few  that 
have  given  me  real  pleasure. 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


2  74  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Altho'  the  present  state  of  our  affairs  do  not 
raise  my  expectations  of  being  able  to  give  your 
Excellency  any  intelligence  worthy  your  atten- 
tion, yet  be  assured,  Sir,  as  far  as  it  shall  be  in 
my  power,  I  shall  most  freely  communicate  from 
time  to  time,  whatever  may  promise  the  least  in- 
formation or  amusement,  hoping  for  a  like  return, 
however  it  may  prove  more  advantageous  or  en- 
tertaining to  me. 

Congress  having  come  to  a  Resolution  relative 
to  the  several  matters  in  Osgood's  deposition, 
your  Excellency  will  receive  a  copy  thereof  by 
this  Post.  It  was  generally  thought  necessary 
to  communicate  the  reasons  of  this  proceeding  to 
the  persons  exercising  the  Executive  power  in 
that  District ;  but  least  a  proper  secrecy  should 
not  have  been  observed,  previous  to  the  arrest- 
ing of  the  Delinquents,  the  time  and  manner  of 
such  communication,  is  altogether  left  to  your  dis- 
cretion. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  the 
most  sincere  respect  and  esteem 
Your  Excellencys 

Most  ob^  Very  Hum^^  Ser* 

E.  B. 

Philadelphia 
Nov  2f^  1782 1 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  157,  Department  of 
State,  Washington. 


COMMISSION    TO    HONORABLE   GEORGE    READ.       275 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO   THE    HON.    GEORGE    READ. 

Philadelphia  Dec.  6,  1782 

Sir. 

It  gives  me  very  particular  satisfaction  to  have 
the  honor  of  presenting  you  the  Commission  of 
the  United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  whereby 
you  are  Constituted  one  of  the  Judges  of  the 
Court  of  Appeals  in  all  Cases  of  Capture  on  the 
Water  &c. 

Your  established  Character  as  a  Gent",  Lawyer 
&  Man  of  Integrity  leaves  me  no  room  to  doubt 
but  this  Appointment  will  do  honor  to  Congress 
produce  the  happiest  Consequences  to  the  good 
Citizens  of  these  States  and  I  hope  real  Satisfac- 
tion to  yourself  from  the  consciousness  of  serving 
your  Country  with  fidelity. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  every  Sentiment  of 

Esteem  &  Respect 

Sir 

Your  most  Obed*  Humble  Serv't 

Elias  Boudinot^ 

The  Honble  Geo  Read  Esq. 

HIS     EXCELLENCY,     THE     GOVERNOR    OF      THE     STATE    OF 
RHODE    ISLAND. 

Philadelphia,  December  11"  1782. 

Sir 

Congress  are  equally  affected  and  alarmed,  by 
the  information  they  have  received,  that  the  Leg- 
islature of  your  State,  at  their  last  meeting,  have 
refused  their  concurrence  in  the  establishment  of 


Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 


276  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

a  duty  upon  Imports.  They  consider  this  mea- 
sure as  so  indispensable  to  the  prosecution  of  the 
War  that  a  sense  of  duty,  and  regard  to  the  com- 
mon safety,  compel  them  to  renew  their  efforts  to 
engage  a  compliance  with  it,  and  in  this  view, 
they  have  determined  to  send  a  Deputation  of 
three  of  their  members  to  your  State,  as  ex- 
pressed in  the  enclosed  Resolution,  The  gen- 
tlemen they  have  appointed  will  be  able  to  lay 
before  you  a  full  and  just  representation  of  the 
public  affairs,  from  which  they  flatter  themselves 
will  result  a  conviction  of  the  propriety  of  their 
solicitude  upon  the  present  occasion.  Convinced 
by  past  experience  of  the  zeal  and  patriotism  of 
the  State  of  Rhode  Island,  they  cannot  doubt  that 
it  will  yield  to  those  urgent  considerations  which 
flow  from  a  knowledge  of  our  true  situation 

They  will  only  briefly  observe,  that  the  increas- 
ing discontents  of  the  army,  the  loud  clamours  of 
the  public  creditors,  and  the  extreme  dispropor- 
tion between  the  current  supplies  and  the  de- 
mands of  the  public  service,  are  so  many  invin- 
cible arguments  for  the  fund  recommended  by 
Congress.  They  feel  themselves  unable  to  devise 
any  other  that  will  be  more  efficacious,  less  ex- 
ceptionable or  more  generally  agreeable ;  and  if 
this  is  rejected,  they  anticipate  calamities  of  a 
most  menacing  nature,  with  the  consolation  how- 
ever, that  they  have  faithfully  discharged  their 
trust,  and  that  the  mischief  which  may  follow, 
cannot  be  attributed  to  them. 


RHODE    ISLAJND    REFUSES    DUTY    ON    IMPORTS.       277 

A  principal  object  of  the  proposed  fund  is  to 
procure  loans  abroad.  If  no  security  can  be  held 
out  to  Lenders  the  success  of  these  must  neces- 
sarily be  very  limited.  The  last  accounts  upon 
the  subject  were  not  flattering,  and  when  intel- 
ligence shall  arise  in  Europe  that  the  State  of 
Rhode  Island  has  disagreed  to  the  only  fund, 
which  has  yet  been  devised,  there  is  every  reason 
to  apprehend  it  will  have  a  fatal  influence  on  their 
future  progress.  Deprived  of  this  resource  our 
affairs  must,  in  all  probability,  rapidly  hasten  to  a 
dangerous  crisis,  and  those  states  be  involved  in 
greater  embarrassments  than  they  have  yet  expe- 
rienced, and  from  which  it  may  be  much  more 
difficult  to  emerge. 

Congress  will  only  add  a  request  to  your  Ex- 
cellency that  if  the  Legislature  should  not  be 
sitting,  it  may  be  called  together  as  speedily  as 
possible  to  enable  the  Gentlemen  whom  they  have 
deputed  to  perform  the  purpose  of  their  mission. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  sentiments  of  high 
respect  and  esteem 

Your  Excellency's  &c. 

E.  B/ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    GENERAL 
WASHINGTON. 

Dec.  II,  1782. 

Dear  Sir; 

I  am  to  acknowledge  the  receipt  of  your  Ex- 
cellency's polite  letter  of  the  4^^'  instant,  and  am 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  i6,  p.  164,  MSS.  Archives, 
Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


278  .    ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

much  obliged  by  the  intelligence  it  contained. 
We  have  since  received  letters  from  our  Assent 
Mr.  Harrison  at  Cadiz,  a  copy  of  which  I  enclose. 

By  a  letter  from  Gen^  Greene  of  the  11*^  of 
November,  we  are  informed  "  that  the  evacuation 
of  Charles  Town  will  not  take  place  till  the  20^^ 
or  21^^  The  enemy  are  in  readiness  to  embark 
and  have  got  Transports  sufficient  to  carry  them 
off;  but  it  is  said  they  are  waiting  for  Admiral 
Pigot  to  convoy  them  to  the  West  Indies." 

I  have  the  honor  of  enclosing  a  letter  directed 
to  Thomas  Chittendon,  Esquire,  at  Bennington. 
It  contains  Resolutions  of  Congress,  which  it  is 
their  wish  your  Excellency  could  forward  as  di- 
rected by  some  trusty  Hand,  who  will  take  a 
receipt  of  the  delivery,  which  may  be  returned 
to  Congress.  For  your  Excellency's  information 
only,  I  also  inclose  a  copy  of  the  Resolutions 
referred  to. 

By  son-ic  private  advices  from  New  York  it  is 
said  that  an  embarkation  of  5000  Men  for  the 
West  Indies  is  taking  place  in  that  City. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c.  &c. 

E.(lias)  B(oudinot)^ 

mr.  boudinot  to  the  hon.  john  lowell,  esq. 

Philadelphia  ii  Dec  1782 

Dear  Sir 

To  perform  the  duty  of  a  first  servant  of  our 
country  by  presenting  her  confidential  honors  as 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  161,  MSS.  Archives, 
Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


LETTER    TO    HONORABLE    JOHN    LOWELL.        279 

the  reward  of  merit,  is  undoubtedly  very  pleasing 
to  every  generous  mind ;  but  when  the  feelings 
of  private  friendship  are  at  the  same  time  highly 
gratified  in  so  important  a  service,  the  reward  is 
great  indeed.  With  these  sentiments  permit  me, 
Sir,  to  present  the  enclosed  commission,  by  which 
you  are  appointed  one  of  the  Judges  of  the  Court 
of  Appeals,  and  most  cordially  to  congratulate 
you  on  this  instance  of  the  high  esteem  your 
country  bears  towards  you. 

It  is  more  worthy,  as  it  has  been  unsought  for 
and  unsolicited  by  you. 

I  doubt  not  but  the  appointment  will  do  honor 
to  Congress  and  be  really  beneficial  to  your 
Country. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c 

E.  B. 

P.  S.  I  had  forgot  to  inform  you  that  Mr 
George  Read,  a  gentleman  of  great  integrity  and 
abilities  of  the  Delaware  State,  was  chosen  at  the 
same  time  with  you  in  the  room  of  Mr  Paca,  re- 
signed, and  in  order  to  settle  precedence  between 
you,  lots  were  drawn,  when  it  turned  in  favor  of 
Mr.  Read,  wherefore,  your  commission  is  dated 
the  day  after  his  ^ 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  162,  MSS.  Archives, 
Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


CHAPTER  XV. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot.  —  Frigate  from  France.  —  Brings 
dispatches.  —  Great  Britain  sends  Mr.  Oswald  to  Paris  to  treat  with 
commissioners.  —  Commissioners  refused  to  treat  as  thirteen  colo- 
nies.—  Treat  as  an  independent  nation.  —  Asiatic  accounts  of  Madras 
being  taken  by  the  French.  —  Treaty  of  commerce.  —  Wants  particu- 
lars of  state  of  things  in  New  York.  —  General  Washington  to  his  Ex- 
cellency Elias  Boudinot. —  Subscription  for  Rev.  Mr.  Caldwell's  children. 

—  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  W^ashington.  —  Congratulations  on  indepen- 
dency acknowledged  by  Great  Britain.  —  Sends  copy  of  commission. — 
Treaty  of  commerce.  —  Foreign  opinion  that  Charleston  and  New  York 
will  be  evacuated  in  the  fall.  —  Arrival  of  General  du  Portail.  —  Mr. 
Boudinot  to  Major-General  du  Portail.  —  Approval  of  Congress.  —  Mr. 
Boudinot  to  Count  de  Rochambeau.  —  Approbation  of  Congress. — 
Wishes  for  prosperous  voyage.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Brigadier-General 
Dayton.  —  Congratulations  on  promotion.  —  Evacuation  of  Charleston. 

—  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington.  —  Receipt  from  Mr.  Chitten- 
don.  —  Copy  of  official  letter  from  General  Greene  announcing  evacua- 
tion of  Charleston. —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Major-General  Lincoln  on  time 
of  returning.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington  on  death  of  Lord 
Stirling.  —  Business  relative  to  Vermont.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General 
Washington.  —  His  letter  laid  before  Congress. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MR.    ELISHA    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  24""  Dec.  1782. 

My  DEAR  Brother 

A  Frigate  has  lately  arrived  from  France  and 
went  on  shore  in  our  Bay  in  the  snow  storm  but 
has  luckily  got  off  again  —  Her  dispatches  are 
just  come  up  and  I  heartily  congratulate  you  on 
Great  Britains  having  admitted  our  Independence 
by  sending  M'  Oswald  to  Paris  first  with  a  com- 
mission to  treat  of  peace  with' commissioners  from 
the  thirteen   Colonies   which   our  commissioners 


STEPS    TOWARD    INDEPENDENCE.  28 1 

absolutely  refused  to  treat  upon  In  consequence 
whereof  Great  Britain  has  given  up  the  matter 
and  issued  a  formal  commission  to  treat  with  "  any 
commission  or  commissioners  from  the  Thirteen 
United  States  of  America^'  and  to  enter  into  all 
the  necessary  stipulations  as  with  an  independent 
Nation.  The  Rubicon  is  therefore  passed  and  I 
am  happy  that  my  expectations  are  likely  to  be 
fulfilled.  I  am  not  at  liberty  to  say  more  than 
is  contained  in  the  following  extracts  — "  From 
several  Asiatic  accounts  there  is  great  probabil- 
ity that  Madras  has  been  taken  by  the  French 
Troops,  which  have  landed  at  Port  Neuvo,  and 
the  Army  of  Hyder  Ally  with  whom  they  have 
made  a  junction,  but  no  official  account  has 
come  to  hand  and  this  intelligence  cannot  be 
given  as  a  certainty  "  —  From  M""  Adams  —  "  We 
have  at  length  the  consent  of  all  the  Cities  & 
Provinces  upon  every  article,  word,  syllable,  letter 
&  point  in  the  treaty  of  commerce  and  clerks  are 
employed  in  making  out  fair  copies  for  signature, 
which  will  be  done  this  week  —  Amidst  the  innu- 
merable crowds  of  Loans  which  are  opened  in  this 
country,  many  of  which  have  little  success,  I  was 
much  afraid  that  would  have  failed.  I  have  how- 
ever the  pleasure  to  inform  you  that  I  am  at  last 
one  Million  and  a  half  of  Florins  or  three  millions 
of  Livres  in  cash,  which  will  aid  the  operations  of 
our  Financier  "...  All  I  want  about  the  men  in 
Newark  is  to  have  by  every  stage  a  particular  ac^ 
of  the  state  of  things  in  N  Y — -of  the  shipping 


282  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

going  in  or  out — I  mean  ships  of  War  Trans- 
portation &c. 

I  am  in  great  haste 

My  dear  Brother 

Yours  affect'^ 

B ' 

The  Post  going  made  me 
almost  forget  the  compliments  of 
the  season  to  all  your  fireside 
in  the  most  affectionate  manner 
from  your  sister  Susan  &c.  &c. 

Elisha  Boudinot,  Esq' 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY   ELIAS 
BOUDINOT,    ESQ. 

Newburgh  Dec'  14th  1782. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  recollect  subscribing,  when  I  was  in  Philadel- 
phia last  Winter,  twenty  or  25  Guinias  towards  the 
support  of  the  Children  of  the  late  Reverend  Mr. 
Caldwell. 

No  person  has  called  upon  me  since  for  this 
money.  I  therefore  take  the  liberty  (as  the  paper 
was  in  your  hands)  of  asking  you  to  whom  I  am 
to  pay  it  ? 

Mrs.  Washington,  who  is  now  with  me,  offers 
her  affectionate  compliments   to   Mrs.  and   Miss 
Boudinot,  to  which  permit  me  to  add  those  of 
Dear  Sir, 

Your  Mo.  obedt.  &  Most  h^'"  servt. 

Go.  Washington.'^ 

1  Family  letters. 

2  MSS.  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Washington  letters, 
vol.  ii.  P,  p.  388. 


INDEPENDENCE.  283 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    GENERAL    WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia  25"  December  1782. 

Dear  Sir 

I  was  honored  by  your  Excellency's  letter  of 
the  16"  inst,  which  I  laid  before  Congress. 

It  is  with  great  pleasure  that  I  congratulate 
your  Excellency  and  the  Army,  on  the  admission 
of  our  Independency  &  national  character  by  the 
Court  of  Great  Britain,  in  the  issuing  a  commis- 
sion, under  the  Great  Seal,  to  Mr  Oswald  now 
at  the  Court  of  Versailles,  for  treating  with  any 
commissioner  or  Commissioners  of  the  Thirteen 
United  States  of  North  America,  a  copy  of  which 
I  do  myself  the  honor  to  enclose  for  your  Excel- 
lency's information.  There  was  a  prior  Commis- 
sion to  the  same  person,  to  treat  with  the  Thir- 
teen Colonies  &c  but  our  Commissioners  refused 
to  negotiate  under  it,  which  produced  this  more 
explicit  power.  Altho'  there  is  great  doubt  yet, 
whether  a  peace  will  ensue,  yet  in  case  of  a  con- 
tinuance of  the  war,  this  admission  must  have 
beneficial  consequences. 

The  following  Extracts  contain  the  resedue  of 
our  public  intelligence 

"  From  several  Asiatic  Accounts  there  is  great 
probability  that  Madras  has  been  taken  by  the 
French  Troops,  which  have  landed  at  Porto 
Neuevo,  and  the  army  of  Heyder  Ally,  with  whom 
they  had  made  a  junction,  but  no  official  account 
has  come  to  hand,  and  this  intelligence  cannot  be 
given  as  a  certainty  " 


284  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT 

From  Mr.  Adams 

"  We  have  at  length  the  consent  of  all  the  cities 
"and  Provinces,  and  have  adjusted  and  agreed 
"upon  every  article,  word,  syllable,  letter  and 
"  point  in  the  Treaty  of  commerce,  and  clerks  are 
"  employed  in  making  out  fair  copies  for  the  sig- 
"  nature,  which  will  be  done  this  week.  Amidst 
"  the  innumerable  crowd  of  Loans  which  are 
"  opened  in  this  country,  many  of  which  have 
"  little  success,  I  was  much  afraid  that  ours  would 
*'  have  failed  I  have  however  the  pleasure  to 
"  inform  you,  that  I  am  at  least,  one  million  and 
"an  half  in  cash  or  about  three  millions  of  Livres 
"  which  will  aid  the  operations  of  our  Financier  " 

Some  of  the  Foreign  letters  to  Gentlemen  of 
consequence  here,  mention  a  belief  at  the  Court 
of  France,  that  both  Charles  Town  and  New 
York  will  be  evacuated  this  Fall. 

Genl  du  Portail  is  arrived  in  the  Frigate  that 
brought  our  Dispatches  referred  to  above. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c 

E.  B.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    THE    HONORABLE    MAJOR-GENERAL    DU 
PORTAIL. 

Philadelphia  i  January  1783 

Sir 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  that  your  letter 
of  the  28  ult,  was  duly  laid  before  Congress,  and 
it  gives  me  a  particular  pleasure  (agreeably  to 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,   No.  16,  p.  167,  MSS.  Archives, 
Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


CONGRESS  TO  COUNT  DE  ROCHAMBEAU.   285 

their  orders)  to  testify  their  approbation  of  the 
reasons  assigned  for  your  detention  in  Europe, 
beyond  the  time  fixed  in  your  Furlough. 

It  was  with  great  satisfaction  that  Congress 
received  the  information  of  your  safe  arrival  in 
America,  where,  they  hope,  that  your  renewed 
exertions  in  the  common  cause,  will  be  again 
crowned  with  success. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with 

great  respect 
Sir 

Yours  &c 

E.  B.* 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    HIS   EXCELLENCY    COUNT   DE 
ROCHAMBEAU. 

Philadelphia  i'*  Jan^  1783 

Sir, 

Among  the  most  agreeable  duties  of  my  office, 
the  communicating  the  approbation  of  Congress 
to  such  worthy  characters  as  are  entitled,  by  their 
merit  and  services,  to  these  tokens  of  public  Re- 
spect, are  not  the  least. 

Be  assured,  Sir,  that  the  honor  I  now  have  to 
enclose  your  Excellency  the  warm  and  affection- 
ate testimony  of  the  United  States  in  Congress 
assembled  to  the  Valor,  Discipline  and  good  con- 
duct of  His  Excellency  The  Count  de  Rocham- 
beau  and  the  Army  under  his  command,  gives  me 
sensations  of  the  most  delicate  nature,  and  I  shall 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  169,  Archives,  Depart- 
ment of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


286  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

esteem  it  among  the  favorable  circumstances  of 
my  administration,  to  have  the  honor  of  this  com- 
munication. 

Permit  me,  in  the  most  cordial  manner  to  wish 
your  Excellency,  and  the  worthy  Officers  who 
attend  you  the  most  prosperous  voyage,  with  a 
happy  sight  of  your  Country  and  Friends,  and 
particularly  the  deserved  approbation  of  your 
Royal  Master. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  every  sentiment  of 
the  profoundest  respect  &  esteem 

Your  Excellency's 
&c  &c 

E.  B.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO   HON.    BRIG. -GEN.    ELIAS   DAYTON. 

Philadelphia 

Jan'y  7*''  1783 

D^  Sir. 

I  have  the  pleasure  of  congratulating  you  on 
your  appointment  to  the  rank  of  Brigadier  Gen- 
eral in  the  Army  of  the  United  States  —  This 
was  happily  accomplished  today,  by  the  persever- 
ance of  your  friends  and  at  last  without  much 
opposition  —  I  doubt  not  the  promotion  will  do 
honor  to  Congress  and  justify  the  Part  your  Ac- 
quaintance have  taken  in  your  Behalf.  I  also 
give  you  joy  on  the  Evacuation  of  Charles  Town 
which  is  now  confirmed. 

^  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  170,  MSS.  Archives, 
Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


EVACUATION  OF  CHARLESTON.       287 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be,  tho'  in  great  Haste, 
Dear  Sir 

Your  very  Hble  Servt 

Elias  Boudinot^ 

Honble  Brig.  Genl.  Elias  Dayton. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    GENL  WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia  16"  January  1783 

Dear  Sir 

Your  Excellency  s  letter  of  the  8"  instant,  en- 
closing Mr.  Chittendons  receipt,  came  safe  to 
hand  and  was  duly  laid  before  Congress. 

Enclosed  is  a  copy  of  the  official  letter  of  Gen^ 
Greene  announcing  the  evacuation  of  Charles 
Town,  on  the  important  event,  I  most  sincerely 
congratulate  your  Excellency  and  the  Army,  as  it 
must  be  productive  of  the  most  happy  conse- 
quences to  the  common  cause 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c 

E.  B.2 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MAJOR    GEN^   LINCOLN. 

Philadelphia  Jan^  28th  1783 

My  dear  Gen"- 

I  was  Honored  with  the  recp*  of  your  Letter  of 
the  9th  Inst  pr  Post  —  I  having  nothing  new  to 
Communicate  and  the  design  of  this  is  to  Comply 
with  my  promise,  in  Acquainting  you,  that,  altho' 
there  is  no  immediate  Business  that  demands 
your  presence  yet  I  believe  if  you  could  return  By 

1  Among  Letters  of  Generals,  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 

2  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of  the  Con- 
tinental Congress,  No.  16,  p.  172. 


288  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

the  middle  of  Feb^  or  thereabouts  without  any 
great  Inconvenience  to  your  private  affairs,  that 
it  would  give  great  satisfaction  to  Congress  —  I 
do  not  mean  to  hurry  you,  but  only  to  hint  my 
opinion  on  the  appearance  of  things  at  present. 
Mrs  Boudinot  &  Miss  Susan  return  the  most 
respectful  &  affectionate  Compliments  to  Mrs 
Lincoln  &  yourself  .  .  . 

I  am  my  Dr  Sir  with  great  Esteem 

Your  most  Obedient  &  very  Hble  Servt 

E.  Boudinot.^ 

Major  Genl  Lincoln. 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Phil*  29th  Jan^  1783 

My  dear  General 

The  unexpected  and  melancholy  news  of  the 
death  of  the  late  Major  Genl  Lord  Stirling,  con- 
tained in  your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  20^^  In- 
stant was  laid  before  Congress  immediately  on  the 
receipt. 

The  special  services  rendered  to  his  country  by 
that  Nobleman,  from  the  very  earliest  period  of 
the  present  War,  to  the  day  of  his  death,  has  not 
only  rendered  his  memory  in  the  highest  degree, 
respectable  to  Congress,  but  has  entitled  him  to 
the  warmest  approbation  of  his  country. 

Congress  exceedingly  regret  this  loss  not  only 
as  a  valuable  character  in  the  army  possessed  of 
great  bravery,  perseverance  and  extraordinary  mil- 
itary talent  but  as  a  very  important  citizen  of  the 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


DEATH    OF    MAJOR-GENERAL    LORD    STIRLING.       289 

United  States  They  sincerely  condole  with  your 
Excellency  and  the  Army  on  this  sorrowful  occa- 
sion 

I  am  instructed  to  make  this  communication  to 
your  Excellency  by  the  particular  order  of  Con- 
gress whose  sense  of  the  great  merit  of  this  officer 
will  be  best  understood  by  the  copy  of  their  res- 
olution for  this  purpose  which  I  do  myself  the 
honor  to  enclose. 

Congress  approve  of  the  circumspection  with 
which  your  Excellency  has  managed  the  business 
relative  to  Vermont  and  hope  it  will  yet  be  car- 
ried into  execution,  although  there  is  great  rea- 
son to  believe  from  the  circumstances  being  now 
known  to  some  of  the  Eastern  States  that  it  may 
be  prevented. 

The  Honorable  Gentleman  alluded  to  in  the 
report  of  Cap*  Mac.  Comber  has  declared  upon 
his  honor  that  he  has  not  wrote  a  single  word 
directly  or  indirectly  to  any  person  or  persons  in 
Vermont  or  elsewhere  on  the  subject  alluded  to 
and  therefore  begs  that  Capt  Mac.  Comber  may 
be  desired  to  give  the  utmost  particulars  of  the 
time  place  &  circumstances  of  his  information  as 
he  is  greatly  concerned  that  he  should  be  sus- 
pected of  any  unfair  practice  on  the  occasion  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  a  letter  for  your 
Excellency  from  the  honourable  Mr  Jefferson 
who  left  this  on  his  way  to  Europe  a  few  days 
since  — 

M^'s  Boudinot  and  Miss  Susan  join  me  in  the 


290  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

most  affectionate  compliments  to  M^'s  Washing- 
ton 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  Dear  Sir  with  the  most 
sincere  respect 

Your  Excellency's 
Most  Obed^  &  very  humble  servant 
Elias  Boudinot^ 

mr.  boudinot  to  his  excellency  general  washing- 
TON. 

Philadelphia  26*''  Feb.  1783 

Dear  Sir, 

I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  Excellency's 
letter  of  the  30^^  ult.  which  I  immediately  laid 
before  Congress,  who,  without  delay,  gave  it  the 
full  attention  it  deserved.  The  result  of  the  de- 
liberations I  do  myself  the -pleasure  to  enclose. 

The  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs  will  make  the 
confidential  communication  to  your  Excellency 
mentioned  therein,  I  hope,  by  this  opportunity. 
The  critical  state  of  our  Finances  obliges  Con- 
gress to  the  Most  disagreeable  parsimony,  Altho' 
the  objects  proposed,  are  certainly  of  the  highest 
consequences,  and  which  will  engage  their  atten- 
tion, at  all  events,  in  case  of  the  least  change  of 
appearances. 

By  a  Vessel  arrived  yesterday  from  Teneriffe, 
and  one  a  few  days  ago  at  Baltimore  from  St 
Kitts,  there  are  various  Reports  About  all  nego- 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  vol.  xcii.  p.  132. 


REPORTS  REGARDING  PEACE  NEGOTIATIONS.   29 1 

tiatlons  for  Peace  being  broke  up  at  Paris,  but 
sifting  them  well  and  duly  considering  dates  and 
other  circumstances,  they  amount  to  nothing 
worthy  of  attention. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  with  the  highest 
Sentiments  of  respect  and  esteem, 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient 

&  very  Hum^  Serv* 

ElIas  Boudinot. 

His  Excellency 

Gen'  Washington. 

(Endorsed  in  Gen'        His  Excellency  the  Presid  of  Congress 

W's  own  hand)  26'''  Feb  1783 —  Boudinot.i 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Letters  to  Washington,  vol.  Ixi.  p.  331,  Department 
of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


CHAPTER   XVI. 

Arrival  of  the  Washington  packet.  —  Brings  budget  of  intelligence.  — 
Short  compendium  of  political  situation,  by  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Washing- 
ton, March  17.  —  England's  change  of  ministers.  —  Proposition  of 
separate  peace.  —  Attitude  of  France.  —  Independence.  —  Boundaries. 
—  Fisheries. —  The  Tories.  —  Suspicions  of  the  court  of  France. — 
Provisional  articles  of  peace.  —  Count  de  Vergennes  surprised.  —  Delay 
in  negotiations  on  the  part  of  other  belligerent  powers.  —  Interest  of 
England  to  ratify  treaty.  —  Harmony  between  commissioners.  —  Six 
millions  instead  of  twenty  obtained  from  France.  — "The  Washington," 
first  vessel  with  English  passport.  — Embarrassed  situation  of  Congress 
as  to  finances.  — Mr.  Morris  resigned.  —  Etiquette  in  France.  —  Situa- 
tion of  army.  —  King  of  France  offended  with  commissioners.  —  Note  of 
Mr.  John  Fiske.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington,  congratulates 
him  and  the  army  on  the  definitive  treaty  of  peace. —  Dispatches  from 
Count  d'Estaing  and  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette.  —  Hostilities  ceased  in 
Europe.  —  Commutation  of  the  half  pay  to  the  army  by  nine  States.  — 
General  Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot.  —  Thanks  for  his  letter  of  the 
17th.  —  Begs  a  continuance.  —  Congratulatory  letter  of  Mr.  Elisha  Bou- 
dinot. —  General  Washington's  reply.  —  An  ode,  by  Mr.  Wilham  Pear- 
tree  Smith.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Honorable  James  Robinson.  —  Lord 
Drummond.  —  His  estate. —  Confiscations. —  Announcement  of  peace 
between  all  belligerent  powers.  —  Express  to  General  Carleton. 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    GENERAL    WASHING- 
TON. 

Philadelphia  March  17'''  1783 

Dear  Sir 

The  arrival  of  Capt  Barney  on  the  Washington 
Packett,  has  afforded  us,  a  large  Budget  of  Intel- 
ligence &  opened  a  new  Scene  in  this  Western 
World  — 

I  have  endeavoured  to  discover  if  any  of  the 
confidential  Servants  of  Congress,  have  made  it 


AFFAIRS    IN    EUROPE.  293 

a  Business  to  communicate  freely  to  your  Excel- 
lency the  political  State  of  our  Affairs  both  at 
home  &  abroad,  from  time  to  time  as  they  have 
turned  up  — 

The  necessity  of  this  knowledge  to  one  in  your 
Excellency's  responsible  Situation,  struck  me  as 
essentially  necessary  but  to  my  Mortification,  I 
cannot  convince  myself  of  the  certainty  of  this 
Measure,  but  am  rather  left  in  doubt  — 

Conscious  of  my  own  want  of  both  Time  & 
Talents  for  so  important  a  business,  nothing  but 
the  necessity  &  usefulness  of  the  work  could  have 
tempted  me  to  have  troubled  your  Excellency 
with  the  essay  at  this  critical  Period,  when  per- 
haps unknown  to  me,  some  able  Pen  is  engaged 
daily  for  the  purpose 

My  present  design  therefore  is,  as  an  individual 
who  has  access  to  the  Intelligence  of  Congress, 
and  also  the  benefit  of  some  private  confidential 
communications,  to  give  your  Excellency  a  short 
compendium  of  the  State  of  our  Affairs  in 
Europe,  that  you  may  be  possessed  of  facts 
necessary  for  your  Station  —  As  I  act  in  this 
Business,  but  as  an  individual  in  a  private  char- 
acter, I  shall  combine  the  information  obtained 
from  the  public  dispatches,  with  that  of  private 
intelligence  but  of  undoubted  authority. 

In  the  beginning  of  the  last  Spring  the  Court 
of  London  being  reduced  (sic)  to  very  disagree- 
able Circumstances  occasioned  as  well  by  the 
State  of  her  Finances,  as  by  the  Change  of,  and 


294  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

divisions  in  her  Ministry,  made  some  very  dis- 
tant movements  to  sound  our  Minister  at  Passy, 
relative  to  a  separate  Peace— -Finding,  no  incour- 
agement  on  this  Head,  small  beginnings  were 
soon  ripened  into  a  promising  appearance,  by 
England's  authorizing  Mr.  Grenville  in  due  form, 
to  treat  with  France  &c  and  giving  instruction  to 
Mr  Oswald,  a  gentleman  of  great  Candour  Integ- 
rity &  Abilities,  (as  is  asserted  by  two  of  our  Com- 
missioners) to  treat  with  Dr.  Franklin  — 

Great  pains  were  taken  to  bring  on  negotia- 
tions in  form  without  farther  express  Powers  with 
respect  to  America ;  our  Coma's  resolutely  deter- 
mined to  oppose  every  attempt  to  conduct  the 
Business  in  a  narrow  scale,  tho'  Count  de  Ver- 
gennes  thought  they  might  safely  proceed  on 
these  limited  Powers ;  however  they  refused  to 
hearken  to  any  formal  propositions,  or  rather  (sic) 
refused  to  make  any  propositions  of  an  explicit 
nature,  untill  the  United  States  of  America  were 
expressly  or  implicitly  acknowledged  as  Indepen- 
dent States  by  Great  Britain  and  considered  as 
one  of  the  Nations  of  the  (sic)  Earth. 

In  the  course  of  the  Communications,  our 
Coma's  convinced  the  Court  of  Great  Britain  (at 
least  in  appearance)  of  the  great  impolicy  of  their 
past  conduct,  and  of  the  absolute  necessity  they 
were  under  of  acting  without  delay  on  a  more 
enlarged  Scale,  and  by  the  generosity  &  Candor 
of  their  Behavior  on  this  occasion,  to  wipe  away, 
the  almost  indelible  Stain,  of  British  Cruelty  & 


MR.    OSWALD    TO    TREAT    WITH    AMERICA.       295 

Barbarism  from  the  American  Mind  —  This  pro- 
duced a  Commission  to  M'  Fitzgerald,  to  nego- 
tiate with  France  &c  &c  and  another  to  Mr 
Oswald,  to  treat  with  America,  wherein  the  Sov- 
ereignty &  Independence  of  these  United  States 
are  expressly  acknowledged  —  Negotiations  now 
took  place  in  real  Earnest  Between  the  Commis- 
sioners, whatever  might  have  been  the  designs 
&  dispositions  of  the  Ministry  of  G.  B.  As  it 
clearly  appears  from  our  Minister's  letters  that 
Mr  Oswald  acted  merely  on  the  principle  of  a 
love  of  Peace,  being  neither  a  creature  or  depend- 
ent of  the  Minister,  and  his  honesty,  candor  & 
purity  of  Intention,  soon  produced  such  a  Union 
of  Sentiment,  that  an  accommodation  appeared  to 
be  fast  ripening  towards  perfection  —  The  prin- 
ciple points  of  discussion  were,  the  Boundaries  — 
The  Fisheries  2ind  the  Tories  —  At  first  England 
appeared  tenacious  of  the  two  first,  but  were 
speedily  convinced  of  their  Error,  and  as  to  the 
last  it  rather  appeared  to  be  held  up  merely  to 
save  their  national  honor — Here  it  is  said  by 
some,  that  the  Court  of  France  took  the  alarm  at 
our  extensive  Claims  in  every  point  and  began  to 
fear  lest  the  Policy  of  England  should  grant  to 
America  too  much  —  She  sees  G.  Britain  heartily 
repenting  her  folly,  and  all  of  a  sudden  putting 
about,  and  attempting  to  lay  a  foundation  for 
reconciliation  with  the  United  States,  by  granting 
all  her  reasonable  Demands  with  an  appearance 
of  Generosity  —  The  ample  share  in  the  Fisheries 


296  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

and  our  refusal  to  compensate  or  restore  the  To- 
ries, gave  her  Httle  Pleasure,  and  the  extensive 
Territory  pleased  her  less  —  but  when  she  saw 
the  possibility  of  Success  on  the  part  of  our  Com- 
missioners, it  is  alleged,  that  she  unhappily  tar- 
nished her  glory  &  reputation,  by  secretly  sending 
Emissaries  to  England  in  order  to  foment  divi- 
sions and  promote  suggestions  of  the  unreason- 
ableness of  our  propositions,  and  persuading  that 
Court  of  the  possibility  of  obtaining  concessions 
on  the  part  of  America,  far  more  advantageous 
than  what  was  insisted  upon  —  The  British  Min- 
istry taking  the  advantage  of  these  blunders  of 
the  Court  of  Versailles,  instead  of  endeavouring  to 
reduce  the  pretensions  of  America,  candidly  (in 
appearance,  communicated  this  conduct  of  France 
to  our  Commissioners  and  thereby  created  a 
Jealousy  in  their  minds  agt  that  Court,  as  insidu- 
ous  &  inimical  —  This  perhaps  might  have  too 
great  an  Effect  in  alarming  &  souring  the  minds 
of  our  Com''s  and  it  would  not  be  unnatural  to 
suppose,  that  it  was  greater  than  necessity  dic- 
tated, when  we  consider  the  interest  the  Court  of 
London  had  in  exaggerating  on  the  occasion  — 
The  whole  issued  in  our  Commissioners  signing 
the  provisional  Articles  of  Peace  (a  copy  of  which 
I  shall  endeavour  to  send  herewith)  without  the 
Knowledge  of  France,  on  the  30th  Nov'  —  and 
not  till  the  next  day  and  after  they  were  sent  to 
the  Court  of  London,  were  they  announced  to 
Count  de  Ver^ennes,  when  he  discovered  Great 


OTHER    BELLIGERENT    POWERS.  297 

Surprise,  and  covered  his  Chagrin  by  expressing 
his  astonishment  at  our  having  obtained  such 
advantageous  Terms  —  Our  public  Dispatches 
give  us  no  Ace*  of  the  Issue  of  the  negotiations 
on  the  part  of  other  belHgerent  Powers,  except 
that  some  disputes  had  Arose  that  delayed  so 
desirable  an  object,  and  suggesting  doubts  of  the 
real  desire  of  Great  Britain  to  do  more  than  what 
was  concluded  with  us ;  hoping  to  draw  off  the 
United  States  from  the  war,  by  putting  them  in 
a  Situation,  which  would  leave  them  nothing  to 
contend  for — But  by  a  very  confidential  letter 
from  good,  tho'  private  Hands  of  a  late  date  it 
appears  that  the  negotiations  with  France  & 
Spain  had  gone  on,  and  on  this  Authority  I  may 
almost  venture  to  say,  that  I  believe  the  Terms 
are  fully  digested,  if  not  Signed,  between  them  — 
Spain  insisted  on  the  cession  of  Gibraltar  and 
offered  to  France,  the  Spanish  half  of  Hispaniola, 
if  she  would  obtain  Gibraltar  for  her  at  the  Ex- 
pence  of  France  —  Count  De  Vergennes  there- 
upon offered  to  England  the  Island  of  Gwadalope 
in  Exchange  for  that  Rock,  which  was  refused  — 
She  then  added  Dominica  &  the  neutrality  of  St. 
Vincents  —  As  this  was  the  Ultimatum  of  France, 
it  is  supposed  that  it  would  be  complied  with. 

Holland  demands  three  things  —  a  restoration 
of  her  captured  Possessions  —  Compensation  for 
Damages  unjustly  sustained  contrary  to  the  Laws 
of  Nations,  and  free  Navigation  —  a  Com^  is  gone 
to  Holland  to  settle  these  points,  which  are  too 


298  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

unimportant  to  cause  much  difficulty,  so  that  I 
hope  a  general  Peace  is  not  far  off  —  But  I  do 
not  mean  by  this,  that  there  is  so  much  certainty, 
as  that  any  thing  should  be  discontinued  that  is 
necessary  for  our  defence  —  To  be  well  prepared 
for  War,  is  the  surest  way  to  make  peace.  A 
great  deal  has  been  suggested  about  the  insidious 
Character  of  the  English  Minister,  and  that  there 
is  great  reason  to  fear,  as  some  think,  by  granting 
America  all  that  they  have  asked,  the  People  here 
will  never  consent  to  a  War  being  continued,  in 
which  they  have  no  Interest,  and  that  therefore  her 
scheme  is  still  to  embarrass  the  definitive  Treaty, 
especially  as  France  will  wish  to  prevent  America 
from  enjoying  the  Terms  of  the  provisional  Treaty 
—  This  Jealousy  might  be  plausible,  was  not 
England  in  a  situation  too  critical  to  sport  with 
such  Important  Matters  —  Her  finances  loudly 
call  for  an  immediate  Peace,  being  reduced  (as 
her  Commissioners  acknowledged)  to  the  neces- 
sity of  stopping  the  Interest  on  the  national  Debt, 
to  carry  on  the  War  another  Campaign  in  case  a 
Peace  should  not  take  place  —  It  is  therefore  on 
her  real  Interest  that  I  depend  for  the  ratification 
of  our  Treaty  &  the  Completion  of  that  with  the 
other  belligerent  Powers  in  case  France  is  not  so 
weak  as  to  embarrass  the  Proceedings  from  an 
idle  fear  of  America  —  Her  Magnanimity,  Gen- 
erosity &  Knowledge  of  her  true  Interests,  have 
been  so  great  and  conspicuous,  that  I  should  feel 
severely  hurt,  should  she  tarnish  her  Glory  at  the 


DEPLORABLE    STATE    OF   FINANCES.  299 

last  Hour — This  I  cannot  believe,  but  will  still 
hope  for  the  best 

There  has  been  great  Harmony  between  our 
Commissioners  thro'out  the  business  —  Mr  Adams 
&  Mr  Laurens  have  resigned  their  employments, 
intending  to  return  immediately  to  America  — 

In  the  Washington  came  over,  600,000  Livres  in 
Cash,  part  of  6  Millions  obtained  of  the  Court  of 
France,  instead  of  20  Millions  demxanded  —  Thus 
I  have  in  a  hurry  given  your  Excellency  a  general 
State  of  the  Foreign  Negotiations  —  I  have  done 
it  in  the  most  confidential  manner,  knowing  to 
whom  I  write,  and  that  the  utmost  Care  will  be 
taken  to  preserve  the  facts  entirely  to  yourself  — 
I  have  stated  facts,  but  dare  not  to  hazard  opin- 
ions—  As  I  write  in  my  private  character,  your 
Excellency  wdll  not  mention  the  subject  to  me  in 
your  public  dispatches. 

I  cannot  help  taking  notice,  that  the  ship  Wash- 
ington is  the  first  American  Vessel  which  ever 
had  an  English  Passport,  signed  by  the  King's 
own  Hand,  and  in  w^hich  he  certifies  that  she  be- 
longs to  the  United  States  of  America. 

I  need  not  to  mention  to  your  Excellency  the 
present  embarrassed  situation  of  Congress  —  Per- 
haps there  has  not  been  a  more  critical,  delicate 
&  interesting  Period  during  the  War — Our  Fi- 
nances are  in  the  most  deplorable  State,  and  it  wdll 
take  a  considerable  Time,  before  they  can  be  re- 
plenished. 

Mr.  Morris  (on  whom  every  disinterested,  intel- 


300  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

ligent  Member  of  Congress  greatly  relied)  has 
resigned  his  office,  unless  Conditions  are  complied 
with  which  tho'  reasonable  in  themselves,  yet  de- 
pend on  very  doubtful  Events. 

Some  difficulties  of  importance,  attending  the 
Etiquette  of  the  Treaty  with  France  (on  which  I 
may  hereafter  enlarge)  give  us  great  uneasiness 
and  add  much  to  our  perplexity. 

The  situation  of  our  Army,  as  stated  in  your 
Excellency's  Letter  of  last  Wednesday,  by  no 
means  lessens  our  anxiety  &  Mortification,  espe- 
cially as  we  have  been  for  five  or  six  weeks  past, 
most  faithfully  &  honestly  engaged  in  laying  a 
foundation  for  their  future  Security,  as  well  as 
making  provision  for  a  present  Supply  —  More  is 
not  in  our  power,  and  I  fondly  hope  that  in  this 
last  hour,  they  will  not  dishonor  themselves,  and 
forfeit  that  Glory  which  they  have  supported  with 
so  much  dignity  to  themselves  &  advantage  to 
their  Country  —  Violent  Measures  will  certainly 
tend  to  prevent  the  Success  of  those  Endeavours, 
Congress  have  been  so  laboriously  exerting,  for 
their  emolument  &  Security  —  and  however  they 
may  think  that  they  are  the  only  sufferers,  yet 
they  may  be  assured  that  our  shoulders  are  not 
free  from  the  Burden  —  There  is  not  a  man 
among  them  who  would  envy  us  our  station,  was 
he  to  be  one  week  in  Congress  — 

Mrs  Boudinot  and  Miss  Susan  take  this  oppor- 
tunity of  presenting  their  most  affectionate  re- 
spects and  kindest  Love  &  good  wishes  to  Mrs. 


KING   OF   FRANCE    OFFENDED.  3OI 

Washington,  whom  they  remember  with  the  high- 
est Sentiments  of  Esteem,  in  which  may  I  be 
permitted  most  cordially  to  Join  those  of  mine  — 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  the  most  profound 
respect, 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obed'  &  aff*  Hble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot. 

P.  S.  By  some  conversation  I  have  since  had 
with  the  Minister  of  France  I  find  that  the  King 
his  Master  is  greatly  offended  with  our  Commis- 
sioners, for  signing  the  provisional  Treaty  without 
a  confidential  communication  with  his  Minis- 
ters— 

His  Ex'y  General  Washington. 

(Endorsed  in  Gen^  Washington's  hand) 
From  his  Excelly  E.  Boudinot,  17"^  March 
1783  on  the  negotiation  in  Europe — Important —  ^ 

Mr.  John  Fiske,  in  his  "  Bibliographical  Note" 
to  "The  Critical  Period  of  American  History," 
observes :  "  The  view  of  the  treaty  set  forth  in 
1830  by  Sparks,  according  to  which  Jay  and 
Adams  were  quite  mistaken  in  their  suspicions  of 
the  French  Court,  we  may  now  regard  as  disposed 
of  by  the  evidence  presented  by  Circourt  and 
Fitzmaurice.  It  has  led  many  writers  astray." 
See,  also,  in  the  same  volume,  "  Results  of  York- 
town." 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  vol.  xcii.  p.  148 ;  also,  letter  book  of  Elias  Boudinot. 


302  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 


MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    GENl   WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia  March  23th  1783 
9  oclock  in  the  Evening 

Sir 

Your  Excellency  will  give  me  the  utmost  credit 
when  I  assure  you  that  it  is  with  the  most  un- 
feigned Joy,  that  I  congratulate  your  Excellency 
and  the  whole  Army  on  the  Confirmation  of  the 
signing  of  the  Definitive  Treaty  of  Peace  by  all 
the  Belligerent  Powers,  on  the  25th  Jan^  —  This 
Happy  Event  has  just  been  announced  by  an 
Express,  from  on  board  a  Sloop  of  War  in  the 
River  dispatched  by  the  Compte  d'Estaing  & 
the  Marquis  Lafayette  from  Cadiz  of  the  14th 
Feb^  in  hopes  that  she  might  arrive,  before  those 
sent  from  France  &  Britain  —  All  Hostilities 
had  ceased  in  Europe,  and  the  same  Happy 
Event  was  to  take  place  here  on  the  20th  Inst. 
These  are  not  O'fiicial  Dispatches,  but  as  there 
can  be  no  doubt  of  the  Event,  I  thought  it  of  the 
highest  consequences  to  give  your  Excellency  & 
my  fellow  Citizens  of  the  Army  the  earliest  notice 
of  this  glorious  End  of  all  their  Toils  &  La- 
bours — 

I  duly  reed  your  Excellency's  Letter  by  the 
Express  containing  the  Proceedings  of  the  Army 
with  the  highest  satisfaction  —  The  Commutation 
of  the  Half  Pay  was  passed  yesterday  by  Nine 
States  in  Congress  which  adds  greatly  to  our  gen- 


GENERAL    WASHINGTON  S    REPLY.  3O3 

eral  joy —  I  wrote  your  Ex^  By  the  Baron  Steuben 
which  I  hope  has  got  to  hand. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

E.  BOUDINOT.^ 

His  Excellency 
Genl  Washington. 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY   ELIAS    BOU- 
DINOT,    ESQ.,    PRES^    OF    CONGRESS. 

Newburgh  March  30th  1783 

Dear  Sir 

I  was  upon  the  point  of  closing  the  Packet  which 
affords  a  cover  to  this  Letter,  when  the  Baron  de 
Steuben  arrived  and  put  your  obHging  favour  of 
the  17th  Instant  into  my  hands.  I  read  it  with 
great  pleasure,  and  gratitude  and  beg  you  to 
accept  my  sincere  thanks  for  the  trouble  you  have 
taken  to  communicate  the  several  matters  therein 
contained,  many  parts  of  which,  'till  then  were 
altogether  new  to  me. 

Your  Excellency  will  very  highly  honour  and 
oblige  me  by  a  continuance  of  the  friendly  and 
confidential  intercourse  you  have  begun,  and  you 
may  rest  assured  that  every  part  thereof  which 
you  m.?,x\i  private  shall  remain  inviolably  Secret. 

As  the  Bearer  (in  the  Cloathing  Department) 
is  waiting  I  have  not  time  to  enlarge.  I  could 
not  suffer  him,  however  to  depart  without  this 
acknowledgment  of  your  Letter,  and  testimony,  of 
my  respect.  With  Mrs  Washington's  compli- 
ments united  with  mine  to  Mrs,  Miss  Boudinot 
and  yourself, 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


304  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  greatest  Esteem 
and  Regard,  Dear  Sir, 

Your  mo.  obt.  &  affec*  H^^e  Sev* 

Go.  Washington.^ 

The  two  letters  which  follow,  the  first  to  General 
Washington  on  the  peace,  by  Mr.  Elisha  Boudi- 
not,  the  second  the  reply,  are  placed  here,  where 
they  naturally  belong  in  point  of  time  and  be- 
cause they  have  a  wider  bearing  than  that  of  indi- 
vidual sentiment  or  local  policy. 

MR.    ELISHA     BOUDINOT    TO   GENERAL    WASHINGTON. 

Newark  April  1783 

Amidst  that  general  joy  which  is  diffused  thro' 
the  States  on  the  establishment  of  our  Indepen- 
dence, and  a  restoration  of  the  blessings  of  peace ; 
will  your  Excellency  permit  an  individual,  deeply 
interested  in  your  happiness,  to  give  vent,  if  pos- 
sible to  his  feelings  on  this  occasion ;  and  most 
sincerely  to  congratulate  you  on  the  final  accom- 
plishment of  our  most  sanguine  hopes  — 

The  thought,  that  your  Excellency  has  survived 
the  contest,  adds  a  pleasure  to  the  enjoyment  that 
no  other  event  could  possibly  give —  It  has  been 
my  earnest  prayer  that  Heaven  would  preserve 
your  life  to  compleat  the  liberation  of  your  coun- 
try from  tyranny,  and  see  her  safely  secured  in 
peace  independence  and  happiness,  and  to  receive 
the  gratefull  acknowledgments  of  a  whole  people  — 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  "P,"  vol. 
iii.  p.  83. 


REVERENCE  OF  THE  PEOPLE  FOR  WASHINGTON.    305 

Nothing  can  afford  a  great  Mind,  more  real  plea- 
sure than  the  Idea,  of  being  the  happy  Instrument 
of  giving  birth  to  an  empire,  the  future  nursery 
of  every  principle  that  can  ennoble  man,  an  asy- 
lum for  the  persecuted  of  all  nations,  and  in  fact 
rendering  happiness  to  one  quarter  of  the  globe  — 
It  is  a  satisfaction  that  an  Angel  might  aspire 
after,  and  which  you  Sir,  are  justly  entitled  to 
enjoy  —  I  am  confident  that  the  idea  of  this  has 
supported  your  Excellency  in  the  Many  distress- 
ing Scenes  you  have  passed  thro'  to  the  final 
completion  of  our  wishes  — 

You  have  finished  your  part,  it  only  remains 
that  your  Country  should  equal  in  gratitude  the 
toils,  the  dangers  and  solicitude  you  have  endured 
for  them  that  they  will  do  this  collectively  there  is 
no  doubt ;  but  something  still  remains  to  perfect 
the  reward ;  to  convince  you  that  every  individual 
feels  that  real  affection  &  gratitude  for  you,  that 
they  ought,  to  the  Father  and  Deliverer  of  their 
country  —  this  only  can  be  done  by  the  represen- 
tation of  private  persons,  which  will  I  hope  apol- 
ogize for  the  intrusion  —  My  publick  business 
calls  me  into  every  county  of  this  State,  and  a 
very  general  acquaintance  with  the  inhabitants, 
and  I  am  certain,  I  should  do  them  the  greatest 
injustice,  did  I  not  assure  your  Excellency,  that 
there  is  scarcely  a  Man  or  Woman  among  them 
but  what  entertain  these  sentiments,  and  but  what 
have  a  Monument  erected  to  you  in  their  breasts, 
that  can  only  be  effaced  with  their  lives  —  Was  it 


306  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

possible  for  your  Excellency  to  have  a  view  of  the 
whole  country  at  once,  and  see  the  honest  farmers 
around  their  fires,  blessing  your  name,  and  teach- 
ing their  children  to  lisp  your  praises ;  you  would 
forget  your  toils  &  labours,  and  thank  Heaven 
that  you  was  born  to  bless  a  gratefull  land. 

When  your  Excellency  is  retiring  from  the 
field,  will  you  indulge  the  Inhabitants  of  this  State 
to  spend  a  short  time,  as  you  are  passing  thro' 
free  from  care,  where  you  have  spent  so  much  in 
distress  and  anxiety  of  mind ;  that  they  may  have 
an  opportunity  of  personally  convincing  you  of 
their  attachments  ? 

I  take  the  liberty  to  inclose,  and  beg  your 
acceptance  of  an  Ode  written  by  my  father-in-law 
Mr  Smith  on  the  present  occasion  — 

Mrs  Boudinot  joins  me  in  entreating  that  you 
will  be  kind  enough  to  make  our  sincere  congrat- 
ulations acceptable  to  Mrs  Washington,  and  to 
assure  her  that  we  participate  in  the  joy  that  she 
above  all  others  must  feel  at  this  time. 

That  you  may  both  long,  long  enjoy  that  cup 
of  happiness  which  Providence  has  so  completely 
filled,  is  the  fervent  desire  of  him 

Who  is  with  the  greatest  respect 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  hble  &  Ob^  SerV 

Elisha  Boudinot. 

His  Ex.  Genl  Washington. 
(Endorsed  in  Gen'  Washington's  hand) 
From  Elisha  Boudinot,  Esq. 
Apl.  1783.1 
1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,   Letters 
to  Washington,  vol.  Ixiii.  p.  23. 


ODE    BY    MR.    WILLIAM    PEARTREE.  307 

AN    ODE    ON    THE    PEACE. 

Set  to  music. 

At  length  war's  sanguine  scenes  are  o'er, 
Her  dire  alarms  are  heard  no  more 
Thro'  all  Columbia's  plain  : 
Sweet  peace  descends  with  balmy  wings, 
And  heaven-born  independence  brings 
With  freedom  in  her  train. 

Chorus. 

Hail !  heaven  descended  guests,  all  hail ! 
Peace,  independence,  freedom,  hail ! 

Ruler  of  Kings  !  thy  mandate  shook 
The  fated  Monarch's  throne,  and  struck 
The  Jewels  from  his  crown  : 
Thy  wisdom  the  rude  statesmen  taught 
With  aid  divine  the  soldier  fought  — 
The  weak  an  empire  won. 

Chorus. 
Hail !  Sovereign  wisdom,  goodness,  hail ! 
Peace,  independence,  freedom,  hail ! 

Oh  !  shed  thy  heavenly  influence  down  ! 
Form  the  new  States  to  high  renown, 
Far  as  the  Orient's  shore. 
Let  yustice  lift  aloft  her  hand  ! 
Virtues,  pure  rob'd,  patrole  the  land, 
Till  Suns  revolve  no  more. 

Chorus. 
Hail !  train  of  heaven,  bright-mantled,  hail ! 
Peace,  independence,  freedom,  hail ! 


Publick  devotion  —  glorious  flame  ! 
That  gave  to  Rome  immortal  fame, 


308  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Thy  sacred  ardors  bring  : 
Religion  chief,  angelic  Maid ! 
In  ev'ry  breast  thy  empire  spread, 
To  purge  corruption's  spring. 

Chorus. 
Hail !  pure  etherial  graces,  hail ! 
Peace,  independence,  freedom,  hail ! 

Her  darling  son,  Columbia's  boast ! 
Envy  and  dread  of  Albion's  host ! 
His  patriot  Falchion  sheaths. 
Celestial  meeds  in  ample  flow 
Crown  the  Deliverer !  bind  his  brow 
With  honors  endless  wreaths  ! 

Chorus. 
Hail !  Washington  !     Deliverer  hail ! 
Peace,  independence,  freedom,  hail ! 

Prince  of  illustrious  christian  name ! 
Historic  pens  shall  mark  thy  fame, 
Till  times  long  annals  close. 
Rous'd  at  oppressions  general  grief, 
Thy  god  like  arms  extend  relief 
Then  —  give  a  world  repose. 

Chorus. 

Hail !  christian  king  !  deliverer  hail ! 
Peace,  independence,  freedom,  hail ! 

Now  let  the  loud  shrill  clarions  play, 
Triumphant  peals  proclaim  the  day, 
Th'  united  States  are  free ! 
While  round  all  cheering  music  floats 
And  echoing  hills  rebound  the  notes, 
God's  firm  and  just  decree  ! 


UNION    AND    PUBLIC   JUSTICE.  309 

Chorus. 

Hallelujah!     Hallelujah! 
Hallelujah!     Hallelujah  I^ 

GENERAL  WASHINGTON  TO  ELISHA  BOUDINOT. 

Newburgh,  May  loth,  1783. 

Sir:  — 

Your  letter  of  congratulation  contains  expres- 
sions of  too  friendly  a  nature  not  to  affect  me 
with  the  deepest  sensibility.  I  beg  therefore  you 
will  accept  my  acknowledgment  for  them,  and 
that  you  will  be  persuaded  I  can  never  be  insen- 
sible of  the  interest  you  are  pleased  to  take  in  my 
personal  happiness,  as  well  as  in  the  general 
felicity  of  the  country.  While  I  candidly  confess 
I  cannot  be  indifferent  to  the  favourable  senti- 
ment, which  you  mention  my  fellow  citizens  en- 
tertain of  my  exertions  in  their  service,  I  wish  to 
express  through  you  the  particular  obligations  I 
feel  myself  under  to  Mr.  Smith  for  the  pleasure 
I  have  received  from  the  perusal  of  his  elegant 
ode  on  the  peace.  The  accomplishment  of  the 
great  object  we  had  in  view,  in  so  short  a  time, 
and  under  such  propitious  circumstances,  must 
I  am  confident,  fill  every  bosom  with  the  purest 
joy ;  and  for  my  own  part  I  will  not  strive  to  con- 
ceal the  pleasure  I  already  anticipate  from  my 
approaching  retirement  to  the  placid  walks  of 
domestic  life.  Having  no  rewards  to  ask  for 
myself,  if  I  have  been  so  happy  as  to  obtain  the 

1  Letters  to  Washington,  vol.  Ixiii.  p.  23,  MSS.  Archives,  Department 
of  State,  Washington,  D.  C. 


3IO  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

approbation  of  my  countrymen  I  shall  be  satis- 
fied. But  it  still  rests  with  them  to  complete  my 
wishes  by  adopting  such  a  system  of  policy, 
as  will  ensure  the  future  reputation,  tranquility, 
happiness  and  glory  of  this  extensive  empire ;  to 
which  I  am  much  assured  nothing  can  contribute 
so  much  as  an  inviolable,  adherence  to  the  princi- 
ples of  the  unio7t,  and  a  fixed  resolution  of  build- 
ing the  national  faith  on  the  basis  of  public  justice 
—  without  which  all  that  has  been  done  and  suf- 
fered is  in  vain  —  to  effect  which  therefore,  the 
abilities  of  every  true  patriot,  ought  to  be  exerted 
with  the  greatest  zeal  and  assiduity. 

I  am  as  yet  uncertain,  at  what  time  I  shall  be 
at  liberty  to  return  to  Virginia,  and  consequently 
cannot  inform  you  when  I  may  be  able  to  gratify 
my  inclination  of  spending  a  little  time  with  my 
friends  in  Jersey,  as  I  pass  through  that  state.  I 
can  only  say  that  the  friendship  I  have  for  a  peo- 
ple, from  whom  I  have  often  derived  such  essen- 
tial aid,  will  strongly  dispose  me  to  it. 

Mrs.  Washington  begs  Mrs.  Boudinot  and 
yourself  to  accept  her  best  compts.,  and  thanks 
for  your  good  wishes,  and  I  must  request  the 
same  favor,  being  with  sentiments  of  esteem  and 
regard. 

Sir,  Your  most  Obed.  &  most  Hble.  Servant, 

Go.  Washington/ 

To  Elisha  Boudinot,  Esq. 

1  Family  papers. 


LORD    DRUMMOND  S    ESTATE.  3 1  I 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HON.   JAMES    ROBINSON. 

Philadelphia, 

March  24^1783. 

Sir 

I  am  happy  in  having  an  opportunity  by  an 
express  dispatched  on  the  most  benevolent  & 
joyous  occasion,  of  acknowledging  the  receipt  of 
your  Letter  of  the  19th  Inst  — 

My  Friendship  for  Lord  Drummond  and  an 
attachment  to  his  Interest  &  that  of  his  Family 
neither  ceased  with  a  difference  in  our  political 
sentiments  or  his  untimely  departure  from  this 
troublesome  World.  I  have  tho'  with  some  diffi- 
culty prevented  his  Estate  from  confiscation ;  an 
Inquisition  having  been  found  against  him  —  It 
has  also  been  attempted  to  draw  me  off  from  his 
support  by  the  Friends  of  the  Milfort  Family  — 
but  I  hope  that  I  have  ever  extinguished  their 
Hopes  from  this  claim  as  I  verily  believe  it  is  not 
founded  in  justice  — 

It  will  be  prudent  before  you  go  to  England  to 
leave  for  me  all  Papers  you  have,  as  also  some 
Ac't  of  the  present  state  of  the  Family,  that  I 
may  not  be  imposed  on  by  intruders  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  congratulate  you,  Sir,  on  a 
general  Peace  between  all  the  belligerent  Powers 
in  Europe,  and  that  we  are  once  more  friends. 
This  happy  event  was  announced  yesterday,  by 
Letters  I  rec'd  from  the  Marquis  La  Fayette,  as 
also  by  the  Compte  d'Estaing  by  an  Express 
Boat   sent   for   the    purpose  —  a   copy   of    the 


312  ELI  AS   BOUDINOT. 

Comte's  Passport  is  the  business  on  which  this 
Express  is  sent,  which  will   also  announce  the 
happy  event  to  his  Exc^  Gen^  Carleton. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be 

with  great  respect  Sir 

Your  very  humble  Servant 

Elias  Boudinot/ 

Sir 
The  Hon'^ie  James  Robinson  Esquire  &c  &c. 

1  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 


CHAPTER   XVII. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  Hon.  John  Hanson ;  congratulations  on  cessation  of  all 
hostilities ;  false  reports  of  Mr.  Hanson's  death ;  Sir  Guy  Carleton 
sent  king's  proclamation;  shall  proclaim  cessation  on  our  part  to- 
morrow. —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Major-General  the  Marquis  de  Lafayette ; 
joy  in  America  at  happy  issue  of  negotiations ;  his  early  intelligence 
saved  mercantile  interests ;  hopes  for  consolidation  of  the  Union  and 
perfecting  of  government;  Congress  sensible  of  obliging  conduct  of 
Compte  d'Estaing ;  Admiral  Digby  considered  it  a  design  to  mislead ; 
incloses  copy  of  vote  of  Congress  in  favor  of  Comte  de  Rochambeau ; 
wishes  to  know  why  the  Comte  left  America  without  the  least  notice 
of  it ;  adds  proceedings  in  the  army ;  terms  of  peace  satisfactory  ex- 
cept time  for  American  merchants  to  pay  their  English  debts  ;  no  time 
mentioned;  must  have  three  or  four  years.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General 
Washington,  inclosing  act  of  Congress  on  cessation  of  hostilities. — 
Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot,  on  birth  of  a  daughter.  —  Mr. 
Boudinot  to  Compte  de  Grasse,  on  transmission  of  two  field  pieces.  — 
Mr.  Boudinot  to  Doctor  Frankhn ;  introduces  Colonel  Ogden ;  terms 
of  peace  ;  payments  of  English  debts.  —  Circular  to  governors  of  states 
on  establishing  literary  property.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mr.  Oliver  Pollock, 
regarding  portrait  of  Doctor  Bernando  de  Galvez.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to 
General  Washington  ;  incloses  copy  from  two  letters  of  Mr.  Laurens. 
—  Mr.  Boudinot  to  the  Ministers  Plenipotentiary ;  Mr.  Livingston  re- 
signed as  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs  ;  surprise  at  delay  of  letters.  — 
To  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin ;  business  of  Secretary  of  Foreign  Affairs 
cast  upon  Mr.  Boudinot ;  writes  in  cipher.  —  Letter  inclosing  two 
medals  received ;  British  retention  of  New  York.  —  General  Washing- 
ton to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  anxious  for  retirement ;  army  arrangements.  — 
Mrs.  Washington  on  jaunt  to  Esopus  with  Governor  and  Mrs.  Clinton. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    THE    HON.    JOHN    HANSON. 

Philadelphia  April  loth  1783 

My  dear  Sir 

Your  favour  of  the  2"^  Inst  was  the  most  agree- 
able surprize  that  I  have  rec*^  for  some  time  past, 
not  sir,  altogether  on  ace*  of  your  kind  congratu- 


314  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

latlons  on  the  Glorious  Event  of  a  Peace  so  hon- 
orable to  our  own  common  Country,  in  which  I 
most  heartily  reciprocate  every  affectionate  Wish, 
but  to  find,  after  mourning  and  regretting  your 
loss  to  your  friends  &  your  country  &  sympathiz- 
ing with  Mrs.  Hanson  who  I  supposed  in  a  most 
distressed  state,  that  you  was  still  in  the  land  of 
the  living  &  more  restored  to  health  &  to  useful- 
ness in  Life  —  We  having  had  your  death  an- 
nounced in  the  publick  news  Papers,  concluded 
with  the  children,  that  what  was  printed  must  be 
true  and  really  considered  the  Fact  beyond  a 
Doubt  —  Permit  me  Sir  to  rejoice  with  your  other 
Friends  on  the  agreeable  mistake,  and  to  wish 
you  long  to  enjoy  the  blessings  of  that  Peace  you 
have  so  long  struggled  for:  To  this  misinforma- 
tion has  been  owing  many  silences  since  your 
leaving  this  city  —  Yesterday  S""  Guy  Carleton 
sent  by  express  the  King  of  England's  Proclama- 
tion for  the  cessation  of  all  Hostilities,  and  this 
morning  we  received  from  France,  by  an  arrival 
here,  the  official  Information  of  the  same  circum- 
stances, on  our  part,  by  a  separate  Instrument  on 
the  same  Terms  as  those  of  France  &  Spain,  and 
shall  proclaim  a  Cessation  of  all  Hostilities  on  the 
part  of  America  tomorrow  —  I  know  you  will  re- 
joice greatly  with  me  on  this  important  news,  and 
join  in  sending  thanks  to  the  great  Governor  of 
the  universe  who  has  thus  continued  interposing 
Providence  &  at  last  crowned  all  our  Labours  with 
a  success  far  beyond  our  sanguine  Expectations  — 


THE    TRIUMPH    BRINGS    TIDINGS    OF    PEACE.       315 

we  want  now  nothing  but  wisdom  &  union  to  per- 
fect the  glorious  work  —  Mrs  Boudinot  joins  me 
in  the  most  respectful  Comp*^  to  Mrs.  Hanson  — 
Believe  me  to  be  with  the  most  unfeigned  es- 
teem &  respect 

(My  dear  sir) 

Your  most  affct  &  very 
Hble.  serv* 

Elias  Boudinot.* 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE. 

Phila.  April  12th  1783. 

My  dear  Marquis 

The  many  Obligations  this  Country  has  been 
laid  under  by  your  repeated  kindnesses  have  been 
not  only  revived  but  greatly  increased  by  your 
,  prudent  &  zealous  attention  to  afford  her  the 
earliest  information  of  the  glad  Tidings  of  an 
event  the  most  glorious  to  her  fame  as  well  as 
essential  to  her  Interest  —  Capt  Duquesin,  whose 
conduct  &  dispatch  does  him  great  honor,  an- 
nounced to  us  in  the  first  Instance  the  happy 
Issue  of  our  Negotiations -^  The  joy  afforded  to 
America  on  this  Occasion  was  too  great  for  utter- 
ance and  you  had  the  universal  Thanks  of  the 
friends  of  this  Country  — -The  early  Intelligence 
saved  our  Mercantile  Interest  greatly  as  the  long 
cessation  of  News  from  our  Ministers  had  shaken 
the  faith  of  many  as  to  the  Issue  — 

The  glorious  struggle,  blessed  be  God,  is  now 
■over  and   I  am  happy  that  you  have  so  great  a 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


3l6  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

share  in  her  Laurels  —  our  worthy  General  is 
not  the  least  sharer  in  the  General  Joy  —  We 
have  now  leisure  I  hope  to  turn  our  attention 
to  consolidating  the  general  union  &  perfecting 
her  government  —  Congress  are  perfectly  satis- 
fied with  your  remaining  in  Europe  &  I  have  the 
honor  &  satisfaction  of  enclosing  you  a  copy  of 
their  vote  on  this  Occasion  —  Congress  are  very 
sensible  of  the  very  obliging  conduct  of  his  Ex- 
cellency the  Compte  d'  Estaing  in  so  readily  & 
generously  devoting  the  Triumph  to  the  benevo- 
lent purpose  of  being  the  Bearer  of  the  Impor- 
tant intelligence  as  soon  as  Capt  Duquesin  ar- 
rived certified  copies  of  the  Intelligence  were 
transmitted  to  Genl  Carleton  &  Admiral  Digby 
—  the  last  of  whom  most  ungenerously  affected 
to  consider  it  as  a  design  of  Compte  d'  Estaing  , 
to  mislead  him,  while  he  was  accomplishing  some 
stroke  in  the  West  Indies —  However  he  was  in 
a  few  Days  convinced  of  his  Error  by  the  arrival 
of  an  English  packett  we  are  anticipating  the 
Pleasure  of  your  arrival  here  with  anxiety  I 
have  the  honor  to  be  with  every  sent""  of  respect 
&  Esteem  my  Dear  Marquis  &c.  I  take  the 
liberty  of  enclosing  copies  of  the  Vote  of  Con- 
gress in  favour  of  Compte  de  Rochambeau  &  of 
my  letter  addressed  to  him  on  that  occasion  my 
reason  for  this  is,  to  beg  the  favour  of  your  en- 
deavouring to  know  the  reason  for  the  Compte 
leaving  America  without  taking  the  least  Notice 
of  it,  not  even  answering  my  Letter.     I  do  this 


-..'.y 


MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  THE  MARQUIS  DE  LAFAYETTE.    317 

merely  in  my  private  Character,  for  altho'  it  has 
been  noticed  by  the  members  of  Congress,  yet 
Congress  has  made  no  Observation  on  it,  and  I 
mention  it  to  you  as  a  private  Friend,  who  I  know 
will  be  prudent  on  the  occasion,  at  the  same  time 
will  satisfy  my  individual  Curiosity  —  I  add  to 
the  enclosed  for  your  satisfaction  some  proceed- 
ings in  the  Army  occasioned  by  the  last  efforts 
of  the  Enemies  of  this  country,  to  raise  a  Com- 
motion :  the  resolutions  as  well  as  the  General's 
address,  give  a  finishing  stroke  to  the  Character 
of  our  officers,  they  do  them  the  utmost  honor, 
and  the  Genl  appears  like  himself.  The  Terms 
of  Peace  give  universal  Satisfaction  except  that 
no  Time  is  mentioned  for  the  American  Merch^^ 
paying  their  English  Debts  having  the  greatest 
parts  of  their  Estates  in  the  publick  Funds,  and 
having  suffered  greatly  by  the  Depreciation  of 
the  money  inevitable  ruin  must  be  their  Portion 
if  they  have  not  three  or  four  years  to  Accomplish 
the  Business  —  This  is  a  matter  of  very  consider- 
able Consequence  to  which  I  hope  our  Ministers 
will  pay  attention  in  the  definitive  Treaty  —  This 
should  also  be  an  object  with  France,  as  if  not 
remedied,  will  throw  our  Merch*^  too  absolutely 
into  the  hands  of  the  English  Creditor  —  Shall  I 
ask  your  attention  to  this  subject  if  not  too  late 
as  it  will  be  adding  greatly  to  the  obligations, 
already  laid  on  the  Citizens  of  these  States. 

To  Major  Geni 

The  Marquis  de  La  Fayette.^ 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


3l8  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    GENERAL   WASHINGTON. 

Philadelphia,  April  12th,  1783. 

My  dear  Sir/ 

You  can  only  judge  from  your  own  feelings  on 
this  occasion,  with  what  peculiar  joy,  I  congratu- 
late your  Excellency  &  the  Army  on  a  Cessation 
of  the  Hostilities  by  the  publick  Act  of  Congress, 
I  have  the  honor  to  enclose :  Thus  far  we  may 
truly  say  that  we  have  passed  thro'  the  Wilderness 
by  a  series  of  Miracles,  which  nothing  short  of 
the  overruling  Providence  of  God  could  ever  have 
wrought —  I  most  heartily  reciprocate  your  Excy'^ 
good  wishes  on  this  occasion,  and  am  much  obliged 
by  your  very  polite  Letter  of  the  — ^  Inst.  By  a  Ves- 
sel that  arrived  yesterday  from  France,  we  rec'd 
official  copies  of  our  accession  to  the  Cessation  of 
Hostilities,  but  altho'  the  Vessel  sailed  on  the 
4th  March,  our  latest  advices  were  of  the  23rd 
Jany  —  we  are  just  informed  that  there  is  a 
packett  in  the  River  with  publick  Dispatches  in 
36  Days  from  France,  if  any  thing  should  turn 
up  worthy  of  notice,  will  add  it  to  the  Letter  — 
Mrs  Boudinot  &  Miss  Susan  unite  with  me  in  the 
most  affectionate  Complits  to  Mrs  Washington  & 
your  Exc^  and  are  contemplating  with  great  plea- 
sure the  prospect  of  a  joyous  interview  in  your 
return  to  your  long  wished  for  retreat  ^  — 

E.  Boudinot. 

1  Omitted  in  letter  book. 

2  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


CONGRATULATIONS.  319 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MR.    ELISHA    BOUDINOT. 

Philadelphia  April  16"'  1783 

My  dear  Brother 

By  a  letter  per  Post  from  M""  Pintard  we  had 
the  agreeable  News  of  the  addition  to  your  family 
by  the  arrival  of  another  Daughter  —  God  grant 
you  much  comfort  with  all  these  little  Tyes  to 
the  World — May  they  all  be  trained  up  for  the 
Regions  of  Immortality  &  Blessedness  —  Our 
kind  love  to  Sister  &  present  our  cordial  congrat- 
ulations on  this  joyful  occasion,  it  is  much  height- 
ened by  the  Olive  Branch  of  Peace  that  is  at  the 
same  Time  waving  o'er  our  Land  How  comes  it 
that  you  are  so  tenacious  of  Girls  —  It  seems  to 
be  the  rage  of  our  family  —  I  think  it  is  now 
Time  to  put  about  and  let  us  have  one  Male  to 
three  Females  at  least  — 

I  sent  you  our  Proclamation  for  the  cessation 
of  Hostilities  by  an  Express  — 

Sister  Stockton  has  been  very  ill  — 

Am  in  great  Haste 

Yours  Affect^y 

E  B^  — 

Elisha  Boudinot  Esq' 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    COMTE    DE    GRASSE, 

Phil;  April  23d  1783 

Sir 

I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  Excellency's 
Favour  of  the   28  Jan'y  three  Days  ago  —  The 

1  Family  letters. 


320  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

terms  of  It  were  too  flattering  as  well  as  the  essen- 
tial service  offered  this  grateful  Country  by  your 
Excellency,  have  been  too  important  not  to  com- 
mand the  utmost'  attention  to  your  very  reason- 
able request  — 

I  did  not  hesitate  immediately  to  consult  the 
Minister  of  War  and  to  give  express  directions 
for  the  forwarding  to  your  Excellency  by  the  ship 

St  L (a  Continental  Ship  lent  to  the  Minister 

of  France  for  transporting  the  French  Legions  to 
France)  the  two  field  pieces  that  are  to  remain  as 
lasting  memorials  of  your  Excellency's  valuable 
services  to  the  United  States  of  America,  and  their 
great. sense  of  the  exalted  merit  &  bravery  of  the 
Comte  de  Grasse. 

May  God  Almighty  take  you  under  his  kind 
protection  and  long  preserve  you  an  illustrious 
blessing  to  your  Royal  Master  &  the  Nation  over 
which  he  reigns  with  so  much  glory. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

E  BouDiNOT  Esq/ 

His  Excellency  the  Comte  de  Grasse  &c  &c. 


MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    BENJAMIN 
FRANKLIN. 

Philadelphia  April  28  1783. 

Sir 

The  Bearer  Col  Ogden  of  New  Jersey  a  Gen- 
tleman who  has  been  greatly  distinguished  for  his 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


TERMS    OF   PEACE.  32 1 

bravery  &  good  conduct  from  the  first  Com- 
menc*  of  the  present  War,  having  received  the 
permission  of  Congress  to  make  a  Voyage  to 
France,  on  his  private  concerns,  I  must  take  the 
liberty  to  recommend  him  to  your  Excell^^  Notice 
—  He  is  of  a  good  family  in  New  Jersey,  and 
having  taken  a  very  active  Part  during  the  Con- 
test in  this  Country,  deserves  the  favour  &  Pro- 
tection of  every  friend  to  America  —  He  is  one  of 
those  brave  few  who  persevered  in  the  Journey 
thro'  the  Wilderness  to  Quebec,  in  the  year  1776 
where  he  was  wounded  in  the  attack  on  that 
City — He  also  bore  a  share  in  the  laurels  of 
York  Town  —  I  have  the  honor  of  enclosing  a 
Letter  from  the  commander  in  chief  which  he  has 
committed  to  my  Care  —  We  are  in  daily  anxious 
expectation  of  the  definitive  Treaty,  having  now 
been  a  long  time  without  advices  from  any  of  our 
Ministers  abroad  —  our  last  Letter  having  dated  — 
Feb^  — 

The  Terms  of  peace  give  universal  satisfaction 
here,  except  the  article  relative  to  the  English 
Debts  remaining  silent  as  to  the  Time  allowed  our 
citizens  to  make  the  Payments  —  The  Situation 
of  our  Country  The  property  in  the  publick 
funds,  not  a  farthing  of  which  can  be  had  —  The 
great  losses  from  the  depreciated  money  &  the 
stagnation  of  trade  for  years  past,  make  it  abso- 
lutely necessary  that  3  or  4  years  should  be  al- 
lowed for  this  purpose,  on  giving  security  for  the 


32  2  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Debt — If  an  immediate  Payment  should  be  re- 
quested it  will  cast  our  Merch*  so  entirely  in  the 
power  of  the  English  Creditor,  as  to  be  very  inju- 
rious to  the  interest  of  France  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  the  greatest  Esteem 
&  Respect, 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obd^  and 

Most  Hble  Serv* 
E.  B.* 

His  Excely  Dr.  Franklin. 

CIRCULAR   TO    THE    GOVERNORS    OF    THE    STATES. 

Philadelphia  May  6"  1783 

Sir 

I  have  the  honor  of  enclosing  to  your  Excel- 
lency a  certified  copy  of  an  Act  of  Congress  of 
the  2"^  instant^ 

The  universal  importance  of  the  object  &  the 
true  interests  of  the  United  States  in  general  & 
your  State  in  particular  being  so  obviously  en- 
gaged in  support  of  this  recommendation,  make 
it  unnecessary  to  add  any  arguments  to  enforce 
the  attention  of  your  State  to  so  reasonable  a 
subject. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 

2  Relating  to  the  establishing  literary  property. 

^  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  183. 


PORTRAIT  OF  DE  GALVEZ.  323 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  MR.  OLIVER  POLLOCK. 

Oliver  Pollock  Esq' 

Philadelphia  May  9"  1783 

Sir, 

I  have  the  honor  to  inform  you  in  answer  to 
your  favour  of  the  7th  instant  that  Congress  have 
chearfully  accepted  the  portrait  of  Dr.  Bernando 
De.  Galvez  late  Governor  of  Louisiana  in  consid- 
eration of  the  early  and  zealous  friendship  of  that 
gentleman  frequently  manifested  in  behalf  of 
these  States,  and  have  directed  me  to  cause  it  to 
be  hung  up  in  the  Hall  of  the  Presidents  House. 

It  is  with  pleasure  I  make  this  communication 
and  am  &c 

E.  B.^ 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 
(Private) 

Philadelphia  9*''  June  1783 

Dear  Sir, 

Since  my  last  private  letter  to  your  Excellency 
nothing  has  turned  up  worthy  of  your  notice  but 
what  you  have  received  official  advice  of,  from  the 
proper  Departments.  Indeed  unaccountable  as 
it  may  seem,  our  Ministers  at  Paris  have  not 
suffered  us  to  hear  from  them  since  the  24th  of 
Jan^  last,  till  the  day  before  yesterday,  when  I 
received  two  letters  from  Mr.  Laurens,  one  of  the 
I5^h  of  March  the  other  of  the  5*h  of  April  last. 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  186. 


324  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

Altho'  these  contain  but  little  information,  yet 
I  think  proper  to  enclose  the  substance  of  them, 
in  confidence,  as  it  is  unknown  but  that  the  know- 
ledge of  the  Most  trifling  circumstances  in  im- 
portant negotiations  may,  by  accident,  prove 
highly  advantageous  to  one  in  your  Excellency's 
situation. 

I  had  the  honor  of  receiving  your  Excellency's 
private  letter  enclosing  one  to  Mr.  Pintard,  to 
which  the  greatest  attention  was  paid. 

Mrs.  Boudinot  and  Miss  Susan  join  me  in 
reciprocating  the  most  affectionate  wishes  and 
respectful  compliments  to  Mrs  Washington,  in 
which  your  Excellency  is  most  warmly  included. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  with  the  highest  respect 
and  most  sincere  esteem 

Your  Excellency's  Most  obedient 

Very  humble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

His  Excellency  Gen^  Washington. 

P.  S.  Your  Excellency's  Letter 
by  the  Secretary  of  War,  was  duly 
reed  this  morning  &  laid  before 
Congress 

June  II  —  1783 

(Endorsed  in  Genl  Washington's  hand) 
From  His  Excellency 
Elias  Boudinot 
9th  June  1783. 

1  MSB.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 

Washington,  vol.  Ixiii.  p.  20a 


ACTING  AS  SECRETARY  FOR  FOREIGN  AFFAIRS.   325 

mr.  boudinot  to  the  ministers  plenipotentiary. 
The  Honorable 

The  Ministers  Plenipotentiary  of  the 
United  States,  at  Paris 

Philadelphia,  16  June  1783. 

Gentlemen 

I  am  sorry  to  inform  you  that  by  the  resigna- 
tion of  Mr  Livingston  as  Secretary  for  Foreign 
Affairs  it  has  become  necessary  that  you  should 
receive  the  Resolutions  of  Congress  relative  to 
your  mission,  through  my  hands.  The  disadvan- 
tage arising  from  this  necessity,  until  a  Successor 
to  that  worthy  gentleman  is  appointed,  will  be 
yours,  as  it  will  be  impossible  for  me  to  do  more 
than  barely  transmit  the  Acts  of  Congress  neces- 
sary for  your  information. 

Enclosed  you  have  one  of  the  i'*  of  May  last, 
and  another  of  the  12"  instant,  which  I  hope  will 
get  to  hand  time  enough  for  your  government. 

The  commissions  and  instructions  referred  to 
in  the  first  not  being  ready,  it  was  thought  best 
to  forward  the  resolution  without  delay,  that  you 
might  know  what  was  intended  in  the  present 
important  period  of  your  negotiation. 

We  have  been  much  surprised  that  we  have  not 
received  any  communication  from  you  since  the 
account  of  the  cessation  of  hostilities  except  a 
letter  of  the  5I1  of  April  from  Mr.  Laurens. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c  &c 

E.  B} 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  lo,  p.  192. 


326  ELI  AS     BOUDINOT. 

mr.  boudinot  to  hon.  benjamin  franklin. 

The  Honorable 

Benjamin   Franklin,  Esq. 

Minister  Plenipotentiary  &c. 
Paris. 

Philadelphia  18"  June  1783. 

Sir 

Enclosed  you  have  an  official  letter,  directed  to 
our  Minister  Plenipotentiary  at  Paris. 

The  resignation  of  the  late  Secretary  for  For- 
eign Affairs  (occasioned  by  his  preference  of  the 
Chancellorship  of  New  York,  which  he  could  not 
hold  longer,  and  retain  his  Secretaryship)  has 
cast  this  business  on  me  till  a  Successor  is  elected, 
which  I  hope  will  speedily  take  place. 

As  part  of  the  Resolution  of  the  12"  instant, 
enclosed  in  the  above  letter,  is  of  a  secret  nature, 
I  have  wrote  it  in  Cyphers,  and  not  having  Mr. 
Livingston's,  I  thought  it  best  to  use  Mr.  Morris's 
to  you  which  he  has  obligingly  supplied  me  with, 
so  that  the  Commissioners  must  be  indebted  to 
you  for  the  decyphering  of  it. 

Your  letter  to  Mr  Livingston  of  the  5"  of 
April,  enclosing  the  two  medals,  came  to  hand 
this  morning.  I  am  sorry  to  find  that  you  make 
similar  complaints  to  those  we  have  been  making 
for  two  months  past,  on  the  subject  of  want  of 
intelligence.  We  have  not  heard  from  any  of  our 
Commissioners  since  February,  tho'  our  anxiety 
and  expectations  have  been  wound  up  to  the 
highest  pitch. 


MEDALS.  327 

I  feel  myself  much  indebted  for  your  polite 
compliment  of  the  medal  —  it  is  very  elegant  in- 
deed, and  the  device  and  workmanship  much 
admired.  You  will  please  to  accept  of  my  ac- 
knowledgments on  this  occasion.  I  doubt  not 
but  the  copper  one  was  designed  for  Mr.  Living- 
ston personally,  I  shall  transmit  it  to  him.  He  is 
a  very  worthy  deserving  character  and  the  United 
States  will  suffer  greatly  by  his  resignation,  tho' 
I  really  think  him  justified  in  attending  to  the 
calls  of  his  private  affairs. 

I  enclose  you  a  number  of  late  newspapers,  in 
which  you  will  see  a  number  of  Resolves,  Asso- 
ciations &c,  from  all  parts  of  the  country,  which 
I  wish  had  been  kept  out  of  sight,  but  the  truth 
is,  that  the  cruelties,  ravages  and  barbarities  of 
many  of  the  Refugees  and  Loyalists  have  left  the 
people  so  sore,  that  it  is  not  the  time  for  them  yet 
to  exercise  their  cooler  judgment ;  and  it  cannot 
take  place  while  the  citizens  of  New  York  are 
kept  out  of  their  habitations  and  despoiled  of 
their  property  by  sending  off  negroes  &c.  It  has 
been  an  ill  judged  scheme  in  the  British  to  retain 
New  York  so  long,  and  send  off  the  negroes,  as  it 
has  roused  the  spirit  of  the  citizens  of  the  several 
States  greatly. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c^ 

E.  B. 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  194. 


328  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

GENERAL    WASHINGTON    TO    HIS   EXCELLy   ELIAS    BOUDI- 
NOT,   ESQ^    PRESID"^   OF   CONGRESS. 

Newburgh,  June  iS***  1783. 

Dear  Sir, 

I  have  received  the  honour  of  your  Excellency's 
favour  of  the  9th  and  am  very  much  obliged  to 
you  for  the  Extracts  from  M''  Laurens's  Letters  of 
the  15th  of  March  and  5th  of  April.  By  these  it 
does  not  appear  that  the  British  Ministry  are  in 
any  haste,  either  to  evacuate  New  York  or  finish 
the  Treaty;  both  of  which  are  devoutly  to  be 
wished.  The  latter,  as  it  will  put  a  period  to  my 
public  life,  I  look  forward  to  it  with  great  solici- 
tude, and  shall  receive  the  account  wdth  Heart 
felt  satisfaction,  that  in  the  Walks  of  private  life, 
My  Mind  May  enjoy  that  relaxation  and  repose 
of  which  it  stands  much  in  need. 

The  arrangements  Consequent  of  the  Resolve 
of  the  26th  of  May,  have  been  all  Made:  Very 
few  besides  the  three  years  men  and  the  officers 
who  are  arranged  to  them,  remain ;  and  the  busi- 
ness got  more  happily  over  than  could  be  expected. 

Mrs  Washington  is  on  a  jaunt  to  Esopus  with 
the  Governor  and  Mrs  Clinton  or  she  would,  I 
am  sure,  join  me  most  cordially  in  compliments 
to  Mrs,  Miss  Boudinot  and  yourself. 

I  have  the  honour  to  be,  With  the  greatest 
Respect  and   Regard, 

Dear  Sir,  &c. 

Go.  Washington.^ 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  P,  vol.  iii. 
p.  144. 


CHAPTER   XVIII. 

Mutiny  of  Pennsylvania  troops.  —  Resolution  of  Congress.  —  Hamilton, 
chairman  of  committee.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington ;  tells 
details  of  mutiny ;  wish  of  members  for  protection ;  proclamation.  — 
Letter  of  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Mr.  Elisha  Boudinot,  on  mutiny.  —  General 
Washington  to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  sends  forward  troops.  —  Mr.  Boudinot 
to  General  Washington  ;  reasons  for  leaving  Philadelphia.  —  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot to  General  Washington  ;  introducing  Count  Del  Verme.  —  Mr. 
Boudinot  to  Doctor  William  Burnet ;  thanks  of  Congress  to  citizens  of 
Newark.  —  To  Colonel  Joseph  Phillips  on  address  of  officers  of  mili- 
tia of  Hunterdon,  Middlesex,  and  Somerset  Counties.  —  To  Thomas 
Willing,  Esq.,  on  address  of  citizens  of  Philadelphia.  —  To  General 
Washington ;  a  summons  to  appear  before  Congress  to  aid  in  peace 
arrangements.  —  To  Sir  Guy  Carleton  on  counterfeiters.  —  To  General 
Washington,  regarding  his  presence  in  Congress;  delay  of  treaty; 
house  to  be  taken  for  Washington.  —  To  General  Washington  on  pro- 
posed address  to  him  by  Congress.  —  General  Washington's  reply.  — 
To  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin.  —  Received  letter  inclosing  treaty  with 
Sweden.  —  Ratification  retarded  for  want  of  more  states  present.  —  Ac- 
complished and  sent  for  exchange.  —  Impropriety  of  title  United  States 
of  North  America  and  three  lower  counties  on  Delaware. — Resolve 
empowering  change.  —  Silence  of  commissioners.  —  Reason  for  removal 
of  Congress  given  in  letter  of  July  15.  —  To  inhabitants  of  New  Bruns- 
wick; reply  to  their  address.  —  To  General  Washington;  illness  of 
Mrs.  Washington.  —  Received  letters  from  Mr.  Laurens ;  had  seen  Mr. 
Fox ;  doubts  as  to  powers ;  Mr.  Hartley  without  full  powers ;  Mr. 
Laurens  in  London;  begs  cannon  for  Comte  de  Grasse.  —  Sir  Guy 
Carleton  to  evacuate  New  York. 

At  this  time,  June  21,  1783,  occurred  the 
mutiny  of  certain  troops  stationed  at  Lancaster, 
Pennsylvania.  They  marched  to  Philadelphia, 
and  with  some  soldiers  there  formed  an  armed 
body  some  five  hundred  strong.  Their  purpose 
was  to  force   their   pay  from   Congress.      They 


330  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

could  not  at  the  moment  have  been  treated  as  a 
mere  handful  of  drunken  soldiers.  Washington, 
Hamilton,  and  Congress  regarded  their  action  as 
a  serious  menace,  the  more  so  in  view  of  the 
advancing  troops  of  the  same  line  from  the  South. 
Promptness  and  energy  were  characteristic  of 
those  who  defeated  what  might  have  become  a 
much  more  grave  affair. 

From  what  Mr.  Boudinot  had  witnessed  during 
the  revolt  of  the  soldiers  of  the  Pennsylvania  line 
at  Baskingridge,  in  January  of  1781,  where  they 
murdered  a  captain  and  mortally  wounded  an- 
other, he  was  justified  in  his  fears  that  they  might 
resort  to  extremities.^ 

The  resolution  of  Congress  was  as  follows :  — 
"On  June  2 1  —  1783  Resolved  that  the  Pres* 
&  Supreme  executive  Council  of  Penn""  be  in- 
formed that  the  authority  of  the  United  States 
having  been  this  day  grossly  insulted  by  the  dis- 
orderly &  menacing  appearance  of  a  body  of 
armed  soldiers  about  the  place  within  which  Con- 
gress were  assembled  &  the  peace  of  this  city 
being  endangered  by  the  mutinous  disposition 
of  the  said  troops  now  in  the  barracks,  it  is  in 
the  opinion  of  Congress  necessary  that  effectual 
measures  be  immediately  taken  for  supporting 
the  public  authority  —  That  the  Committee  be 
directed  to  confer  with  the  Supreme  executive  of 

1  See  also  Irving's  Washington^  vol.  iv.  p.  213. 


MUTINY    OF   TROOPS.  33 1 

Penn^  on  the  practicability  of  carrying  the  pre- 
ceding resolutions  into  effect."^ 

Hamilton  was  chairman  of  the  committee  to 
wait  upon  the  executive  of  Pennsylvania,  and 
urged  immediate  measures  for  repressing  such 
ominous  proceedings,  at  a  time  so  important  for 
us  to  appear  well  in  the  eyes  of  the  whole  world, 
and  as  a  necessary  check  upon  further  demon- 
strations of  the  same  kind  at  such  a  critical 
period,  when  the  armies  were  being  disbanded, 
the  creditors  of  the  nation. 

The  commissioners  in  Europe  confirmed  this 
view,  as  shown  in  their  letter  of  September  lo, 
1783.  Hamilton  said  with  regard  to  this  event: 
"  It  was  the  duty  of  government  to  provide  effect- 
ually against  the  repetition  of  such  outrages,  and 
to  put  itself  in  the  situation  to  give  instead  of 
receiving  the  law  and  to  manifest  that  its  com- 
pliance was  not  the  effect  of  necessity,  but  of 
choice ;  this  was  not  to  be  considered  as  a  dis- 
orderly riot,  of  an  armed  mob,  but  as  the  deliber- 
ate mutiny  of  an  incensed  soldiery  carried  to  the 
utmost  point  of  outrage  short  of  assassination 
and  further  a  considerable  part  of  ,the  same  line 
was  expected  from  the  Southward."  ^ 

As  president,  Mr.  Boudinot  notifies  General 
Washington  of  these  disagreeable  circumstances 
in  the  following :  — 

1  Journal  of  Congress. 

2  J.  C.  Hamilton's  Life  of  Alexander  Hamilton,  vol.  ii.  p.  220. 


332  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

His  Excellency 
Genl  Washington. 

Philadelphia  21"*  June  1783 
4  o'clock  P.  M. 

Dear  Sir 

I  am  greatly  mortified  that  our  circumstances 
here  oblige  me  to  trouble  your  Excellency  with 
a  detail  highly  disagreeable  and  perplexing.  I 
presume  your  Excellency  has  received  copies  of 
letters  from  Colo  Butler  and  Mr  Henry  forwarded 
a  few  days  ago.  All  endeavours  to  oblige  the 
men  to  return  to  Lancaster  proved  ineffectual. 
They  entered,  this  city  yesterday  morning  in  a 
very  orderly  manner  and  took  possession  of  the 
Barracks,  and  with  the  Troops  there  quartered 
these  make  up  about  five  hundred  men.  Genl 
St.  Clair  was  sent  for,  and  matters  seemed  tolera- 
bly easy  till  this  morning,  when  they  positively 
refused  all  obedience  to  their  Officers  and  seemed 
forming  a  design  to  be  troublesome  by  evening. 
Congress  being  adjourned  till  Monday,  I  thought 
proper  to  call  them  together  at  One  o'clock.  Six 
States  had  got  together  when  the  mutineers, 
joined  by  those  of  the  Barracks  before  their 
arrival  in  Town,  very  unexpectedly  appeared  be- 
fore and  surrounded  the  State  House,  with  fixed 
Bayonets,  The  Supreme  Executive  Council  sit- 
ting also  in  the  same  House.  The  mutineers 
sent  in  a  paper,  demanding  of  the  President  and 
Council  to  authorize  them  to  choose  their  own 
officers,  (being  deserted  by  their  former  officers 


MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON.   333 

as  they  alleged)  in  order  to  represent  their  griev- 
ances —  that  they  should  wait  twenty  minutes 
and  if  nothing  was  then  done,  they  would  turn 
in  an  enraged  Soldiery  on  the  Council  who 
would  do  themselves  justice,  and  the  Council 
must  abide  the  consequences,  or  words  to'  that 
effect.  This  was  handed  to  the  members  of  Con- 
gress by  the  President  of  the  State,  Genl  St. 
Clair  was  present  at  the  request  of  Congress  and 
but  very  few  Other  .Officers  attended.  Neither 
Congress  nor  the  Council  would  take  any  mea- 
sures while  they  were  so  menaced,  and  matters 
continued  thus  till  half  past  three  o'clock  this 
afternoon,  when  the  mutineers  were  prevailed  on 
for  the  present  to  march  back  to  the  Barracks. 
They  have  seized  the  public  Magazine  and  I  am 
of  opinion  that  the  worst  is  not  yet  come.  Tho' 
no  Congress  was  regularly  formed  for  want  of 
one  Member,  yet  the  Members  present  unani- 
mously directed  me  to  inform  your  Excellency 
of  this  unjustifiable  Movement.  The  Militia  of 
the  City,  I  suppose  will  be  called  out,  but  there 
are  some  suspicions  that  the  Mutineers  value 
themselves  on  their  interest  with  the  Inhabitants. 
It  is  therefore  the  wish  of  the  Members  who  were 
assembled,  that  your  Excellency  would  direct  a 
movement  of  some  of  your  best  troops,  on  whom 
you  can  depend  under  these  circumstances,  to- 
wards this  City,  as  it  will  be  of  the  most  danger- 
ous consequences  if  a  Measure  of  this  kind  is  to 
be  put  up  with^  and  no  one  can  tell  where  it  will 


334  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

end.  Your  Excellency  will  hear  from  me  again, 
on  this  subject  without  delay.  I  forgot  to  inform 
your  Excellency,  that  the  Month's  pay  for  Janu- 
ary has  been  ordered  to  these  Men,  and  three 
month's  pay  in  Notes  &c.  They  complain  heav- 
ily of  their  Accounts  yet  remaining  unsettled.  It 
is  to  be  wished  the  Pay  Master  could  arrange 
Matters  so  as  to  close  the  accounts  of  the  Sol- 
diery with  more  expedition. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

E.  B.^ 
A  proclamation  is  then  issued. 

BY    HIS    EXCELLENCY 

ELIAS    BOUDINOT,   ESQUIRE, 

PRESIDENT    OF     THE     UNITED     STATES     IN     CONGRESS 

ASSEMBLED. 

A    PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  a  body  of  armed  Soldiers  in  the  ser- 
vice of  the  United  States,  and  quartered  in  the 
Barracks  of  this  City,  having  mutinously  re- 
nounced their  obedience  to  their  Officers,  did, 
on  Saturday  the  Twenty-first  Day  of  this  instant, 
proceed,  under  the  direction  of  their  Serjeants, 
in  a  hostile  and  threatening  manner,  to  the  place 
in  which  Congress  were  assembled,  and  did  sur- 
round the  same  with  Guards :  And  Whereas 
Congress  in  consequence  thereof,  did,  on  the 
same    Day,   resolve,    "  That   the    President    and 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  vol.  xcii.  p.  224, 


PROCLAMATION.  335 

"  Supreme  Executive  Council  of  this  State  should 
"be  informed,  that  the  authority  of  the  United 
*'  States  having  been  that  day  grossly  insulted  by 
"  the  disorderly  and  menacing  appearance  of  a 
"  body  of  armed  Soldiers,  about  the  Place  within 
"which  Congress  were  assembled,  and  that  the 
"Peace  of  this  City  being  endangered  by  the 
"  mutinous  Disposition  of  the  said  Troops  then 
"  in  the  Barracks ;  it  was,  in  the  Opinion  of  Con- 
"  gress,  necessary,  that  effectual  Measures  should 
"  be  immediately  taken  for  supporting  the  public 
"Authority:"  And  also  whereas  Congress  did,  at 
the  same  Time  appoint  a  Committee  to  confer 
with  the  said  President  and  Supreme  Executive 
Council  on  the  practicability  of  carrying  the  said 
Resolution  into  due  effect:  And  also  whereas 
the  said  Committee  have  reported  to  me,  that 
they  have  not  received  satisfactory  Assurances 
for  expecting  adequate  and  prompt  exertions  of 
this  State  for  supporting  the  Dignity  of  the  Foed- 
eral  .  Government :  And  also  whereas  the  said 
Soldiers  still  continue  in  a  state  of  open  Mutiny 
and  Revolt,  so  that  the  Dignity  and  Authority  of 
the  United  States,  would  be  constantly  exposed 
to  a  repetition  of  insult,  while  Congress  shall  con- 
tinue to  sit  in  this  City,  I  DO  THEREFORE, 
by  and  with  the  Advice  of  the  said  Committee, 
and  according  to  the  Powers  and  Authorities  in 
me  vested  for  this  Purpose,  hereby  summon  the 
honorable  the  Delegates  composing  The  Con- 
gress of  the  United  States,  and  every  of  them,  to 


336  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

meet  in  Congress,  on  Thursday  the  Twenty  Sixth 
Day  of  June  instant,  at  Princeton,  in  the  state  of 
New  Jersey,  in  order  that  further  and  more  effect- 
ual Measures  may  be  taken  for  suppressing  the 
present  revolt,  and  maintaining  the  Dignity  and 
Authority  of  the  United  States ;  of  which  all 
Officers  of  the  United  States,  civil  and  Military, 
and  all  others  whom  it  may  concern,  are  desired 
to  take  Notice  and  govern  themselves  accordingly. 
Given  under  my  Hand  and  Seal  at  Philadel- 
phia, in  the  State  of  Pennsylvania,  this  Twenty- 
Fourth  Day  of  June,  in  the  Year  of  Our  Lord 
One  Thousand  Seven  Hundred  and  Eighty 
Three,  and  of  the  Sovereignty  and  Independence 
of  the  United  States  the  seventh. 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

Attest. 

Samuel  Sterett,  Private  Secretary. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    MR.    ELISHA    BOUDINOT. 

Philad*  23  June  1783 

My  dear  Brother 

I  have  only  a  moment  to  inform  you  that  there 
has  been  a  most  dangerous  Insurrection  and 
meeting  among  a  few  Soldiers  in  the  Barracks 
here  about  3  or  400  surrounded  Congress  and 
the  Supreme  Executive  Council,  '  and  kept  us 
Prisoners  in  a  manner  near  3  hours,  tho'  they 
offered  no  insult  personally  —  To  my  great  mor- 
tification, not  a  citizen  came  to  our  assistance  — 
The    President   and   Council    have  not  firmness 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  i6,  p.  202. 


CONGRESS    ADJOURNS    TO    PRINCETON.  337 

enough  to  call  out  the  Militia  and  allege  as  a 
reason  that  they  would  not  obey  them  —  In  short 
the  political  manoeuvers  here,  previous  to  the  im- 
portant Events  of  next  October  entirely  unhinge 
Government  —  This  handful  of  Mutineers  con- 
tinue still  with  Arms  in  their  hands  and  are  pri- 
vately supported,  and  it  is  well  if  we  are  not  all 
Prisoners  in  a  short  time  —  Congress  will  not 
meet  here,  but  have  authorized  me  to  change 
their  place  of  Residence — I  mean  to  adjourn  to 
Princeton  if  the  Inhabitants  of  Jersey  will  protect 
us —  I  have  wrote  to  the  Governor  particularly  — 
I  wish  you  could  get  your  Troop  of  Horse  to 
offer  their  aid  and  be  ready  if  necessary  to  meet 
us  at  Princeton  on  Saturday  or  Sunday  next  if 
required  — 

I  would  not  wish  anything  to  be  made  more 
public  than  is  necessary  for  the  above  purpose  — 

I  wish  Jersey  to  show  her  readiness  on  this 
occasion  as  it  may  fix  Congress  as  to  their  per- 
manent residence  — 

The  Express  will  call  for  an  answer 

Am  in  great  haste  with  love  to  all 
Yours  aff'^'y 

Elias  Boudinot^ 

Elisha  Boudinot  Esq' 
GENERAL   WASHINGTON   TO    HIS   EXCELLENCY   ELIAS 
BOUDINOT,    ESQ. 
Headquarters  Newburgh  evening  June  24  1783. 

Sir 

It  was  not  until  3  O'clock  this  afternoon,  that 
I   had  the  first  intimation  of  the  infamous  and 

^  Family  letters. 


338  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

outrageous  Mutiny  of  a  part  of  the  Pennsylvania 
Troops ;  it  was  then  I  received  your  Excellency's 
Letter  of  the  2 1't  by  express,  and  agreeable  to 
the  request  contained  in  it,  I  instantly  ordered 
Three  compleat  Regiments  of  Infantry  and  a 
Detachment  of  Artillery  to  be  put  in  motion  as 
soon  as  possible ;  —  This  Corps  (which  you  will 
observe  by  the  Returns,  is  a  large  proportion  of 
our  whole  Force)  will  consist  of  upwards  of  1500 
effectives.  —  As  all  the  Troops  who  composed 
this  gallant  little  Army,  as  well  those  who  were 
furloughed  as  those  who  remain  in  Service,  are 
Men  of  tried  fidelity,  I  could  not  have  occasion 
to  make  any  choice  of  Corps ;  and  I  have  only  to 
regret,  that  that  there  existed  a  necessity,  they 
should  be  employed  on  so  disagreeable  a  Service, 

—  I  dare  say  however,  they  will  on  this  and  all 
other  occasions  perform  their  duty  as  brave  and 
faithful  Soldiers. 

While  I  suffer  the  most  poignant  distress  in 
observing  that  a  handful  of  men,  contemptible 
in  numbers,  and  equally  so  in  point  of  Service 
(if  the  Veteran  Troops  from  the  southward  have 
not  been  seduced  by  their  example)  and  who  are 
not  worthy  to  be  called  Soldiers,  should  disgrace 
themselves  as  the  Pennsylvania  Mutineers  have 
done,  by  insulting  the  Sovereign  Authority  of  the 
United  States  and  that  of  their  own  ;  —  I  feel  an 
inexpressible  satisfaction,  that  even  this  behaviour 
cannot  stain  the  name  of  the  American  Soldiery. 

—  It  cannot  be  imputable  to,  or  reflect  dishonour 


CONDUCT    OF   TROOPS.  339 

on  the  Army  at  large;  but  on  the  contrary,  it 
will,  by  the  striking  contrast  it  exhibits,  hold  up 
to  public  view  the  other  Troops  in  the  most  ad- 
vantageous point  of  light;  —  Upon  taking  all  the 
circumstances  into  consideration,  I  cannot  suffi- 
ciently express  my  surprise  and  indignation,  at 
the  arrogance,  the  folly,  and  the  wickedness  of 
the  Mutineers ;  nor  can  I  sufficiently  admire  the 
fidelity,  the  bravery,  and  the  patriotism,  which 
must  for  ever  signalize  the  unsullied  Character 
of  the  other  Corps  of  our  Army;  —  for  when  we 
consider  that  these  Pennsylvania  Levies  who 
have  now  mutinyed,  are  Recruits  and  Soldiers  of 
a  day,  who  have  not  born  the  heat  and  burden 
of  the  War,  and  who  can  have  in  reality  very  few 
hardships  to  complain  of,  —  and  when  we  at  the 
same  time  recollect  that  these  Soldiers  who  have 
lately  been  furloughed  from  this  Army  are  the 
veterans  who  have  patiently  endured  hunger, 
nakedness  and  cold,  who  have  suffered  and  bled 
without  a  murmur,  and  who  with  perfect  good 
order  have  retired  to  their  homes,  without  the 
settlement  of  their  Accounts,  or  a  farthing  of 
money  in  their  pockets,  —  we  shall  be  as  much 
astonished  at  the  vertues  of  the  latter,  as  we  are 
struck  with  horror  and  detestation  at  the  pro- 
ceedings of  the  former;  —  and  every  candid  mind 
without  indulging  ill-grounded  prejudices,  will 
undoubtedly  make  the  proper  discrimination. 

I  intended  only  to  wait  until  the  Troops  were 
collected  and  had  occupied  their  new  Camp,  in 


C/sLiFor^Nii: 


340  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

order  to  make  a  full  Report  to  Congress  of  the 
measures  which  have  been  taken  in  consequence 
of  the. Resolution  of  the  26th  of  May.  —  Notwith- 
standing the  option  which  was  given,  in  my  an- 
swer to  the  address  of  the  Generals  and  Officers 
Commanding  Regiments  and  Corps,  which  has 
been  already  sent  to  your  Excellency,  —  No  Sol- 
diers, except  a  very  few  whose  homes  are  within 
the  Enemy's  Lines,  and  a  very  small  number  of 
Officers,  have  thought  proper  to  avail  themselves 
of  it  by  remaining  with  the  Army  —  A  List  of 
those  who  remain,  is  herewith  transmitted.  —  The 
Men  engaged  to  serve  three  Years  w^ere  then 
formed  into  Reg|'  and  Corps  in  the  following 
manner,  viz  —  The  Troops  of  Massachusetts 
composed  4  Regiments,  Connecticut  i  Reg^  New 
Hampshire  5  Comipanies,  Rhode  Island  2  Com- 
panies, Massachusetts  Artillery  3  Companies  and 
New  York  Artillery  2  Companies  —  The  total 
strength  will  be  seen  by  the  Weekly  state,  which 
is  also  forwarded. 

The  Army  being  thus  reduced  to  merely  a 
competent  garrison  for  West  Point,  that  being 
the  only  object  of  importance  in  this  quarter,  and 
it  being  necessary  to  employ  a  considerable  part 
of  the  men  in  building  an  Arsenal  and  Magazines 
at  that  Post,  agreeably  to  the  directions  given  by 
the  Secretary  at  War,  —  the  Troops  accordingly 
broke  up  the  Cantonement  yesterday,  and  re- 
moved to  that  Garrison,  where  Major  Gen^  Knox 
still    retains    the    Command.      The    Detachment 


MILITARY    AFFAIRS.  34 1 

which  marches  for  Philadelphia  will  be  under  the 
orders  of  Ma^  Gen'^  Howe  —  Gen*^^  Heath  having, 
at  his  own  particular  request,  retired  from  the 
field  ;  —  The  Brigadiers  now  remaining  with  the 
Army,  are  Patterson,  Huntington  and  Greaton, 
besides  the  Adjutant-General.  —  Thus  have  I 
given  the  present  State  of  our  military  affairs,  and 
hope  the  Arrangements  will  be  satisfactory  to 
Congress. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient  Servant 

G:  Washington 
P.  S.  Should  anything  turn  up,  which  may 
prevent  the  necessity  of  the  Troops  proceeding 
to  Philadelphia,  I  am  to  request  your  Excellency 
will  send  the  earliest  intimation  to  the  Command- 
ing Officer  —  that  the  Detachment  may  return 
immediately.  —  The  Route  will  be  by  Ringwood, 
Pompton,  Morristown,  Princeton  and  Trenton,  on 
which  your  Express  may  meet  the  Corps.^ 

[Indorsement] 
Letter  24  June  1783 
Gen'  Washington. 
Reed  30  June. 

mr.  boudinot  to  general  washington. 

His  Excellency 

Genl  Washington, 

Princeton  5"  July  1783. 

Dear  Sir 

I  have  neglected  writing  your  Excellency  a  cir- 
cumstantial account  of  the  reasons  of  Congress 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,,  vol.  xi.  pp.  381,  284,  285. 


342  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

leaving  Philadelphia,  in  hopes  of  being  able  to 
furnish  the  official  account  as  entered  on  our 
Journals,  which  must  be  more  satisfactory,  than 
anything  I  could  have  wrote. 

I  now  have  the  honor  to  enclose  the  proceed- 
ings of  Congress  on  this  business,  which  will  give 
your  Excellency  a  tolerably  just  narrative  of  this 
unhappy  affair  in  general ;  altho'  there  are  many 
trifling  circumstances  and  anecdotes  attending  it, 
that  tend  to  shew  and  enforce  the  propriety  of 
adjourning  Congress  to  some  other  place  for  free 
deliberation,  which  could  not  be  entered  on  their 
Journals. 

The  Proclamation  I  had  the  honor  of  enclosing 
to  your  Excellency  some  days  ago,  added  to  the 
enclosed,  are  all  our  public  acts  on  this  subject. 

I  believe  the  citizens  of  Philadelphia  begin  to 
reflect  on  their  conduct  towards  the  Federal  Gov- 
ernment, in  a  very  different  point  of  view  from 
that  in  which  they  first  considered  it.  Indeed, 
the  truth  being  brought  to  light,  obliges  an  ac- 
knowledgment of  the  absurdity  of  Congress  sit- 
ting in  the  City  under  such  circumstances. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

E.  B.^ 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Princeton  July  8'''  1783 

Dear  Sir 

This  will  be  handed  to  your  Excellency  by  the 
Count  Del  Verme,  a  Nobleman  of  Milan  in  Italy 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  209. 


COUNT    DEL    VERME.  343 

—  By  means  of  his  Cousin  Prince  Caramivice 
an  Ambassador  at  the  Court  of  London,  he  was 
recommended  by  the  Duke  of  Portland  to  Dr 
Franklin  Mr.  Laurens  &  Mr.  Adams  who  have 
warmly  addressed  this  illustrious  Traveller  to  the 
Notice  of  Congress  — • 

Permit  me  Sir  to  request  your  kind  attention 
(to)  the  Count  on  his  Visit  at  Head  Quarters  — 
His  design  is  to  make  a  Tour  through  the  United 
States,  and  to  see  the  principal  Men  in  each 
State  — 

I  received  your  Excellency's  favour  by  the 
return  of  my  Express,  who  went  off  in  such 
Haste,  as  made  me  guilty  of  an  omission  in  not 
acknowledging  the  receipt  of  your  Excellency's 
favours  of  the  24"  &  25"  Ultimo,  which  had  come 
safe  to  Hand,  and  the  Sentiments  of  which  gave 
great  Pleasure  &  Satisfaction  to  Congress  — 

I  have  the  Honor  to  be  with  the  most  perfect 
Esteem  &  regard  Your  Excellency's  Most  Obed 
&  very  Hble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot. 

His  Excellency,  General  Washington. 

(Endorsed  in  Gen'  Washington's  hand) 
From  His  Excelly  Elias 
Boudinot  Esq. 
8th  July  1783.1 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  vol.  Ixiii.  p.  306. 


344  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

mr.  boudinot  to  dr.  william  burnet. 

Dr  William  Burnet,  Chairman  &c 
Newark —  New  Jersey 

Princeton,  July  24th  1783. 

Sir 

I  am  honored  with  the  commands  of  Congress 
to  inform  you,  in  answer  to  the  poHte  and  respect- 
ful address  of  the  Magistrates,  Militia  Officers 
and  citizens  of  the  Town  of  Newark,  that  Con- 
gress entertain  a  high  sense  of  their  Spirit  and 
patriotism,  and  applaud  their  zeal  for  good  order 
and  the  security  and  honor  of  the  Federal  Gov- 
ernment 

Permit  me  also  the  Pleasure  of  assuring  the 
respectable  Magistrates,  Officers  &  Citizens  of 
the  Town  of  Newark,  that  Congress  feel  them- 
selves much  obliged  by  their  kind  disposition  to 
render  the  residence  of  Congress  in  this  State  as 
agreeable  as  possible. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT     TO     COLONEL     JOSEPH     PHILLIPS     OF    THE 
MILITIA    OF    NEW    JERSEY,    &C. 

Princeton  30"  July  1783 

Sir 

I  had  the  honor  of  laying  before  Congress  the 
address  of  the  Officers  of  the  three  Battalions  of 
Militia  of    Hunterdon,  Middlesex  and    Somerset 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  226. 


ADDRESSES    TO   CONGRESS.  345 

most  contiguous  to  Princeton,  and  in  answer 
thereto  have  it  in  charge  to  inform  those  respect- 
able officers,  "  that  Congress  have  received  with 
much  satisfaction  their  respectful  and  affectionate 
address  and  highly  approve  the  patriotic  senti- 
ments contained  in  the  resolution  with  which  it  is 
accompanied." 

It  gives  me  personally  great  pleasure  to  bear 
this  testimony  to  the  affectionate  attachment  of 
my  Fellow  Citizens  of  New  Jersey  to  the  Federal 
Government,  and  doubt  not  but  they  will  ever 
support  the  very  respectable  Character  they  have 
hitherto  maintained  throughout  the  Union.  I 
must  beg  the  favor  of  your  communicating  this 
to  your  Brother  Officers  and  be  assured,  Sir,  that 
I  am,  with  very  great  respect 

Yours  &c.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    MR.    THOMAS    WILLING,    ESQ. 

Princeton  30-  July  1783 
Thomas  Willing,  Esq 

Sir 

I  lately  had  the  honor  of  laying  before  Congress 

a  very  respectful  and  affectionate  address  from  the 

Citizens  of  Philadelphia  and  the  Liberties  thereof, 

in  answer  to  which  I  am  instructed  by  Congress, 

to    inform    those   worthy   gentlemen,  "That    the 

United  States  in  Congress  assembled  have  great 

satisfaction  in  receiving  the  spirited  and  patriotic 

exertions,  which  have  been  made  by  the  Govern- 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.,  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  231. 


346  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

ment  and  Citizens  of  Pennsylvania  in  the  course 
of  the  late  glorious  war:  and  that  Congress  is 
highly  pleased  with  the  resolution  expressed  by 
the  Citizens  of  Philadelphia  to  aid  in  all  measures 
which  may  have  a  tendency  to  support  the  na- 
tional honor  and  dignity" 

As  the  honorable  Delegates  of  Pennsylvania, 
resident  in  the  City,  are  expected  here  before  this 
can  reach  you,  and  I  observe  that  your  name  is 
the  first  subscribed  to  the  address,  permit  me ; 
Sir,  to  beg  the  favour  of  you  to  make  this  answer 
known  to  the  respectable  Citizens  who  are  among 
your  Fellow  Subscribers ;  and  at  the  same  time  to 
assure  them  that  I  feel  myself  very  happy  and 
highly  honored  in  thus  communicating  the  testi- 
mony of  the  United  States  to  the  patriotic  and 
successful  exertions  of  the  Government  and  Cit- 
izens of  Pennsylvania  in  the  common  cause. 
I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

E.  B} 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

P.  Town  July  31   1783. 

Dr  Sir 

A  moments  Time  is  only  allowed  to  inform  your 
Excellency  that  I  have  it  on  Command  from  Con- 
gress to  acquaint  you,  that  It  Is  their  Pleasure  that 
you  should,  as  soon  as  convenient  after  your  re- 
turn from  the  Northward,  attend  Congress  at  this 
Place,  as  they  think  your  Presence  will  be  of  spe- 

1  MSB.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  230. 


TO    SIR    GUY    CARLETON.  347 

cial  Service  at  this  important  Period ;  and  the 
change  of  situation  may  be  more  agreeable  to 
your  Excellency  under  present  Circumstances  — 
I  would  enclose  a  copy  of  this  resolution,  under 
which  I  act,  but  by  the  negligence  of  the  Clerk,  I 
cannot  obtain  it  without  missing  the  loss  of  this 
opportunity. 

It  gives  me  a  very  peculiar  Pleasure,  to  make 
this  communication,  as  I  have  hopes  of  seeing 
Mrs.  Washington  &  your  Excellency  enjoying  the 
fruits  of  that  Peace,  which  under  God  is  in  a  great 
measure  owing  to  your  glorious  Exertions. 

Mrs.  Boudinot  &  Miss  Susan  join  me  in  the 
most  affectionate  wishes  for  your  &  Mrs  Wash- 
ington's Health  &  Happiness. 

I  have  the  Honor  &c.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    SIR    GUY    CARLTON. 

P.  Town  Aug  i.  1783. 

Sir, 

I  had  the  pleasure  of  acknowledging  the  rec't 
of  your  Excellency's  Letter  of  the  24  ulto  by  re- 
turn of  the  messenger  who  brought  it,  I  am  now 
honored  with  the  Commands  of  Congress  on  the 
subject  of  that  Letter  &  the  Papers  therein  en- 
closed. Congress  have  considered  those  Commu- 
nications relative  to  certain  Persons  suspected  of 
forging  &  passing  Notes  issued  from  the  Office 
of  Finance  of  the  number  States  and  on  the 
maturest  deliberation  they  presume  your  Exclly 

1  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 


348  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

will  give  orders  that  such  of  the  Persons,  subjects 
of  any  of  these  United  States  as  are  or  may  be  in 
Custody  on  a  Charge  of  having  made  or  passed 
within  any  of  the  United  States,  counterfeits  either 
of  the  Notes  or  Paper  Bills  of  Credit  of  the 
United  States  or  any  of  them,  shall  be  delivered 
up,  together  with  the  Proofs  which  shall  be  col- 
lected of  them,  to  be  tryed  under  the  Jurisdiction 
to  whom  Cognisance  of  their  crimes  belongs  —  If 
this  measure  should  meet  your  Excellys  approba- 
tion, a  Guard  shall  attend  at  the  Time  &  Place  to 
be  appointed  by  your  Exclly.  for  the  purpose  of 
receiving  and  securing  such  of  the  Criminals  as 
fall  under  the  above  description  —  With  regard 
to  further  [torn]  and  to  Criminals  who  are  not 
amenable  to  any  of  these  States,  Congress  have 
entire  Confidence,  that  Justice  will  be  done  and 
such  atrocious"  Offenders  brought  to  Condign 
Punishment. 

Enclosed  is  an  original  Paper  I  found  within 
one  of  the  Copies  sent  by  your  Exclly.  and  as  it 
may  be  material  in  the  Enquiry,  I  take  the  Lib- 
erty of  returning  it. 

My  private  Secretary  Mr.  Sterett  going  on 
Business  to  Newark  I  have  directed  him  if  a  con- 
venient opportunity  offer  on  Monday,  to  proceed 
as  far  as  New  York  &  deliver  this  himself. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  great  respect, 

Your  Exclly.  &c.^ 

Elias  Boudinot 

His  Excelly.  Sir  Guy  Carlton. 

1  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 


BERRIAN    HOUSE    HEAD    QUARTERS.  349 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    GENERAL    WASHINGTON. 

Princeton  12'h  August  1783 

Dear  Sir, 

Your  Excellency's  favour  of  the  6^^  inst.  gave 
me  great  pleasure,  as  they  announced  your  safe 
arrival  after  so  expeditious  &  fatiguing  a  Journey. 

The  Resolution  of  Congress  requested  by  your 
Excellency  was  forwarded  several  days  since,  but 
it  cannot  answer  your  expectations  —  Congress 
wished  to  have  Your  Excellency's  personal  aid  at 
forming  the  peace  arrangement  whenever  that 
Report  was  called  up,  but  your  disagreeable  situ- 
ation arising  from  the  unexpected  and  unaccount- 
able delay  of  the  definitive  treaty,  hastened  the 
measure  of  requesting  your  Excellency's  Attend- 
ance, that  you  Might,  by  a  change  of  place  be,  in 
some  Measure,  relieved  from  the  inconveniences 
Attending  your  present  local  situation.  How- 
ever Congress  have  instructed  me  to  inform  your 
Excellency,  that  it  is  their  wish  that  you  would 
make  your  attendance  entirely  agreeable  to  your 
own  conveniencey  unless  you  hear  further  from 
them.  They  have  directed  a  House  and  standing 
Furniture  to  be  taken  for  your  Excellency  within 
three  or  four  miles  of  this  place,^  in  case  it  should 
be  agreeable  for  you  to  remain  here  a  few  weeks, 
but  they  by  no  means  wish  to  hurry  you  in  your 
Journey  unless  the  Definitive  Treaty  should  sud- 
denly arrive  of  which  I  shall  do  myself  the  honor 
of  giving  you  the  earliest  intelligence. 

1  General  Berrian's  house  was  chosen  for  this  purpose. 


350  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

I  have  no  doubt,  from  very  good  information, 
that  the  substance  of  the  Treaty,  if  not  an  authen- 
ticated copy,  is  in  New  York,  tho'  previous  to  the 
ratification,  which,  I  suppose,  is  delayed  to  give 
Sir  Guy  all  the  time  that  can  be  conveniently 
done. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be,  Sir,  with  great  respect, 
Your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient 

&  Very  humb.  Servant 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

(Endorsed) 
Princeton  12'h  Aug'  1783 
from  BouDiNOT 
President  of  Congress 
intentions  of  Congress  in  desi^ 
attendance. 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 
(Private.) 

Princeton  Augt  12%  1783. 

Dear  Sir/ 

With  this  your  Excellency  will  receive  my 
public  Letter  of  this  date.  That  your  Excellency 
may  be  informed  of  every  Act  of  Congress,  relat- 
ing to  yourself  personally,  I  do  myself  the  honor 
of  enclosing  for  your  private  Information  a  Copy 
of  an  Address  proposed  to  be  delivered,  to  your 
Excellency  on  your  attendance  here,  in  Case  it 
should  precede  the  definitive  Treaty  — ■  I  also  en- 
close  an    Act   of   Congress,   calculated    to    hand 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  vol.  Ixiv.,  p.  21. 


CONGRESS    VOTE    A    STATUE    TO    WASHINGTON.    35 1 

down  to  Posterity  the  attention  of  your  grateful 
Country,  for  services  that  never  can  be  repaid  — 
Every  pubHc  Testimony  to  your  Excellency's  just 
Merit,  gives  me  a  most  sensible  &  lasting  Plea- 
sure, as  it  is  a  living  Evidence  that  public  grati- 
tude, for  essential  public  Services,  is  not  yet  quite 
driven  from  our  political  World. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  very  great  Esteem 
&  respect 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  obedient  and  very  Hble.  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot. 
•     P.  S.     Mrs.  Boudinot  &  Miss  Susan  join  me  in 
the  most  affectionate  compliments  to  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington.^ 

(Endorsed) 
Princeton  12"^  Aug*  1783,  from  Boudinot 
President  of  Congress  inclos^  proposed 
address  &  Resolution  for  erect*  Statue. 

GENERAL   WASHINGTON    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    ELIAS 
BOUDINOT,    ESQ. 

Head  Quarters,  14*'' Aug"  1783 

Sir, 

By  the  last  post,  I  was  honored  with  your  Ex- 
cellency's favor  of  the  i'*  ins^  enclosing  the  re- 
solve of  Congress,  directing  my  attendance  at 
Princeton.  Notwithstanding  my  Horses  had  ar- 
rived but  a  Day  or  two  before,  &  were  much 
fatigued,  I  should  have  set  out  immediately,  had  it 
not  been  for  the  indisposition  of  Mrs  Washing- 
ton,  who,  during  my  absence,  had   been  seized 

1  MSS.  Archives,    Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters 
to  Washington,  vol.  Ixiv.  p.  25. 


352  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

with  a  fever.  —  had  a  return  of  it  since,  &  is  now 
in  a  very  weak  and  low  state.  This  Circum- 
stance, together  with  a  desire  of  packing  my 
papers,  and  making  arrangements  for  a  final  re- 
move (being  uncertain  of  the  objects  Congress 
have  in  view  by  my  attendance,  or  how  long  I 
may  be  detained  at  Princeton)  will,  I  hope,  avail 
as  an  Excuse  for  my  delay. 

I  propose  to  set  out  on  Monday  next,  provided 
Mrs  Washington's  Health  will  admit,  or  I  should 
not  have  any  thing  from  Congress  in  the  mean 
Time,  to  prevent  my  Intentions. 
With  great  respect  &c. 

Go.  Washington/ 

Received  in  Congress  August  2 2d. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HON.    BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN. 

Princeton  15  Aug.  1783. 

Sir 

I  had  the  honor  of  your  favor  of  the  7th  of 
March  last  enclosing  the  treaty  between  the 
United  States  and  the  King  of  Sweden,  the  rat- 
ification whereof  has  been  retarded  for  want  of 
nine  States  present  in  Congress.  This  act  has 
now  taken  place  and  I  am  honored  with  the  com- 
mands of  Congress  to  transmit  it  to  you  for 
exchange,  which  I  now  have  the  pleasure  of  doing 
and  hope  it  will  meet  with  a  safe  and  speedy  con- 
veyance. 

On  receiving  the  treaty  a  manifest  impropriety 
struck  Congress  in  the  title  of  the  United  States 
being  called  of  North  America  when  it  should  have 

1  Papers  of  the  Continental  Congress,  No.  152,  vol.  xi.  p.  431. 


TREATY   WITH    SWEDEN.  353 

been  only  America  and  also  in  the  enumeration 
of  the  different  states,  wherein  the  Delaware  State 
is  called  "  The  three  lower  counties  on  Delaware." 
As  there  is  no  such  State  in  the  Union  Congress 
were  at  a  loss  how  they  could  ratify  the  treaty 
with  propriety,  unless  they  should  alter  the  tran- 
script, which  might  be  liable  to  many  exceptions ; 
they  have  "therefore  to  avoid  all  difficulties  passed 
a  separate  Resolve  empowering  you  to  make  the 
necessary  amendments.  A  certified  copy  of  this 
Resolution  I  do  myself  the  pleasure  to  enclose. 

Congress  are  entirely  at  a  loss  to  account  for 
the  silence  of  their  Commissioners  at  Paris,  since 
February  last,  being  without  any  official  informa- 
tion relative  to  the  Treaty  with  Great  Britain 
since  that  time. 

I  had  the  honor  of  writing  you  very  fully  on 
the  I5*h  of  July  last,  giving  you  the  reasons  for 
our  removal  to  this  place  at  length,  which  I  hope 
got  safe  to  hand. 

Congress  having  determined  not  to  fix  the 
place  of  their  permanent  residence  till  the  first 
Monday  in  October  next,  is  the  reason  of  defer- 
ring the  appointment  of  a  Minister  for  Foreign 
Affairs  till  that  is  done. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  high 
respect  and  esteem 

Your  most  obedient 

very  humble  servant 

Elias  Boudinot.* 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Franklin 
papers,  vol.  v.  p.  11 53. 


354  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

P.  S.     I  have  sent  by 

this  opportunity  the  News  Papers 

to  this  Date. 


MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    INHABITANTS    OF    NEW   BRUNSWICK. 

AzARiAH  Dunham  8c  others 

A  Committee  of  the  Inhabitants  of 
New  Brunswick, 

Princeton,  August  i6"  1783 

Gentlemen 

In  answer  to  the  very  respectful  address  (which 
you  did  me  the  honor  of  enclosing  to  my  care) 
of  the  Inhabitants  of  New  Brunswick  and  its 
vicinity,  I  am  directed  by  Congress  to  inform 
those  respectable  citizens  "that  Congress  with 
pleasure  received  their  congratulations  on  the 
glorious  and  happy  success  of  the  War ;  are 
obliged  by  the  affection  and  respect  for  the 
Federal  Government  expressed  in  their  address, 
and  highly  approve  their  patriotic  disposition  to 
promote  order,  harmony  and  peace  throughout 
the  United  States  " 

The  honor  of  this  communication  gives  me 
great  pleasure,  as  it  is  an  additional  testimony  to 
the  persevering  and  worthy  conduct  of  my  Fellow 
Citizens  of  New  Jersey. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c.^ 

Elias  Boudinot 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  i6,  p.  241. 


ACCOUNT    FROM    COMMISSIONERS.  355 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    GENERAL    WASHINGTON. 
(Private.) 

Princeton  August  21"  1783. 

Dear  Sir/ 

It  is  but  this  moment  that  your  Excellency's 
Letter  of  the  14th  Inst,  has  got  to  Hand. 

The  alarming  illness  of  Mrs.  Washington  gives 
Mrs.  Boudinot,  myself  &  Daughter,  real  distress  ; 
our  Prayers  shall  not  cease  for  her  recovery  — 
Ere  this  I  hope  your  Excellency  has  rec'd  mine 
by  the  Secretary  of  War,  which  will  inform  you 
of  the  Intentions  of  Congress,  that  you  should 
make  your  Journey  here,  entirely  agreeable  to 
your  own  convenience  &  Leisure. 

Since  that  Letter  we  have  rec*^  Letters  from 
Mr.  Laurens  of  the  14th  &  18"  June  —  By  these 
we  are  convinced  that  there  is  no  definitive 
Treaty  yet  arrived  in  New  York  —  The  Sub- 
stance of  his  Letters  is,  "  That  he  had  seen  Mr. 
Fox  who  made  a  Question  whether  the  American 
Ministers  were  authorized  &  disposed  to  open  an 
Intercourse  of  Commerce  on  Terms  of  reci- 
procity "  —  To  answer  this,  our  Ministers  imme- 
diately to  wit,  on  the  29th  April  Made  a  proposi- 
tion of  several  plain  Simple  Articles  full  to  that 
Purpose,  and  tendered  them  for  Execution  to  Mr. 
Hartley  —  who  at  first  approved  of  them,  but 
after  some  hesitation  acknowledged  he  had  come 
to  Paris  without  his  Powers  —  he  sent  a  Mes- 
senger  to    London    with    the  proposition  —  and 


356  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

after  a  waste  of  three  weeks,  he  returned  with  an 
answer  that  they  could  not  be  agreed  to  — 

2ist  May  —  Mr.  Hartley  proposed  Terms  Alto- 
gether inadmissible,  but  could  not  produce  either 
Commission  or  Instructions  to  compleat  any 
Thing. 

Mr.  Laurens  went  to  London  from  whence  he 
writes  and  makes  the  following  Observations 
"  My  former  assurances  have  undergone  a  won- 
derful refinement  —  Reciprocity  seems  now  to. 
mean,  Enjoyment  on  one  side,  and  restriction  on 
the  other.  This  change  may  have  been  wrought 
by  the  unexpected  &  sudden  arrival  of  divers 
Ships  &  Cargoes  from  different  Ports  in  the 
United  States- — The  British  Minister  at  Paris 
candidly  assured  me  that  he  was  of  this  opinion  " 
—  Mr.  Laurens  mentioned  to  Mr.  Fox  his  wish  to 
stay  a  few  days  at  Bath,  but  he  feared  that  his 
Presence  would  be  necessary  at  the  signing  of  the 
Treaty  —  Mr.  Fox  answered  by  assuring  Mr. 
L.  that  he  might  safely  remain  at  Bath  for  some 
days  without  danger,  from  which  Mr.  L.  con- 
cluded that  there  was  not  anything  likely  to  be 
done  speedily  —  Mr.  Laurens  says  that  the  pres- 
ent Ministry  is  likely  to  be  of  a  very  short  dura- 
tion— 

I  have  the  honor  to  enclose  three  Letters  to 
your  Excellency  committed  to  my  Care  from  dif- 
ferent Quarters  — 

Shall  I  presume  so  much  on  your  Excellency's 
time,  as  once  more  to  beg  your  attention,  to  the 


CANNON  SENT  TO  COUNT  DE  GRASSE.     357 

Cannon  that  was  designed  for  the  Comte  De 
Grasse  I  feel  myself  much  hurt  by  the  assurance 
I  was  led  to  give  him  that  they  should  be  sent  to 
him  by  the  Due  de  Luzern,  and  which  I  was  not 
able  to  effect. 

Mrs.  Boudinot  &  Miss  Susan  join  me  in  the 

Most  affectionate  regards  for  Mrs.  Washington, 

most  devoutly  praying  for  her  immediate  recovery 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  the  highest  respect 

Your  Excellency's  Most  Obd'  & 

Hble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

P.  S.  Congress  have  rec"^  official  Information 
from  Sir  Guy  Carleton,  that  he  has  positive  orders 
to  evacuate  New  York  without  delay  —  Mr.  Lau- 
rens mentions  the  same  thing,  as  told  him  by  Mr. 
Fox  — 

His  Excellency  General  Washington. 
(Endorsed  in  Gen^  Washington's  hand) 
From  his  Excelly  Elias  Boudinot, 
2ist  Aug'  —  83. 

MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  vol.  Ixiv.  p.  53. 


CHAPTER   XIX. 

Congress  holds  an  audience  for  congratulating  General  Washington  on 
the  termination  of  the  war,  and  to  consult  on  peace  arrangements.  — 
Speech  of  Mr.  Boudinot  to  General  Washington.  —  General  Washing- 
ton's reply. —  Hon.  John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot;  time  appointed  for 
signing  treaties  of  peace ;  provisional  articles  with  preamble  making 
definitive  treaty ;  expecting  his  recall ;  recommends  Mr.  Thaxter.  — 
Hon.  John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  American  ministers  met  British 
minister,  signed  definitive  treaty;  repetitions  of  provisional  treaty, 
September  5,  1783;  on  mediation  of  the  two  Imperial  Courts  ;  on  min- 
ister to  Vienna  and  England;  commercial  connections.  —  Hon.  John 
Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot,  on  receipt  of  commission  for  treaty  of  com- 
merce ;  affairs  in  Holland ;  Mr.  Dumas'  expenses ;  politics ;  foreign 
papers.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin ;  inclosing  dupli- 
cate of  ratification  of  treaty  with  Sweden,  also  resolutions  of  Congress; 
mutiny  happily  ended.  —  From  the  commissioners  to  Mr.  Boudinot ; 
relative  to  treaty ;  conduct  of  the  whole  affair.  —  Reception  of  Mr. 
Boudinot's  letter  of  7th  June,  with  directions  for  treaty  of  commerce ; 
ministers  to  and  from  England ;  other  nations  ready  to  make  treaties. 

There  could  scarcely  have  fallen  upon  Mr. 
Boudinot  a  duty  more  in  consonance  with  his 
feelings,  than  that  which  devolved  upon  him  as 
president  of  Congress,  to  officially  congratulate 
Washington  on  the  success  of  the  war. 

Monday  August  26th  1783. 

Congress  being  informed  of  the  arrival  of  the 
Commander  in  Chief  in  the  neighborhood  of 
Princeton  ordered  —  "  That  we  have  an  audience 
in  Cono:ress  tomorrow  at  Twelve  O.  Gen^  Wash- 
ington  attended  being  introduced  by  two  mem- 
bers "     The  Pres^  said : 


y-         ^  OF  THE        .    -  \ 

\TJisrivERsiTY; 


AUDIENCE    OF    CONGRESS    TO    WASHINGTON.       359 

"  Sir,  Congress  feel  particular  pleasure  in  see-, 
ing  your  excellency,  and  in  congratulating  you  on 
the  success  of  a  War,  in  which  you  have  acted  so 
conspicuous  a  part. 

It  has  been  the  singular  happiness  of  the 
United  States,  that  during  a  war,  so  long,  so 
dangerous  and  so  important  Providence  has  been 
graciously  pleased  to  preserve  the  life  of  a  gen- 
eral, who  has  merited  and  possessed  the  unin- 
terrupted confidence  and  affection  of  his  fellow 
citizens.  In  other  nations  many  have  performed 
services,  for  which  they  have  deserved  and  re- 
ceived the  thanks  of  the  public.  But  to  you  Sir 
peculiar  praise  is  due,  your  services  have  been 
essential  in  acquiring  and  establishing  the  freedom 
and  independence  of  your  country.  They  deserve 
the  grateful  acknowledgments  of  a  free  and  inde- 
pendent nation.  These  acknowledgments  Con- 
gress have  the  satisfaction  of  expressing  to  your 
Excellency.  Hostilities  have  now  ceased,  but 
your  country  still  needs  your  services.  She 
wishes  to  avail  herself  of  your  talents  in  forming 
the  arrangements  which  will  be  necessary  for  her 
in  the  time  of  peace.  For  this  reason  your  at- 
tendance at  Congress  has  been  requested.  A 
committee  is  appointed  to  confer  with  your  excel- 
lency and  to  receive  your  assistance  in  preparing 
and  digesting  plans  relative  to  these  important 
objects"^  — 

To  which  His  Excellency  made  the  following 
reply :  — 

1  Journal  of  Congress. 


360  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

"  Mr  President  —  I  am  too  sensible  of  the 
honorable  reception  I  have  now  experienced  not 
to  be  penetrated  with  the  deepest  feelings  of 
gratitude. 

Notwithstanding  Congress  appear  to  estimate 
the  value  of  my  life  beyond  any  services  I  have 
been  able  to  render  the  United  States,  yet  I  must 
be  permitted  to  consider  the  wisdom  and  unanim- 
ity of  our  national  councils,  the  firmness  of  our 
citizens  and  the  patience  and  bravery  of  our  troops 
which  have  produced  so  happy  a  termination  of 
the  war  as  the  most  conspicuous  effect  of  the  di- 
vine interposition,  and  the  surest  presage  of  our 
national  happiness. 

Highly  gratified  by  the  favorable  sentiments 
which  Congress  are  pleased  to  express  of  my 
past  conduct  and  amply  rewarded  by  the  confi- 
dence and  affection  of  my  fellow-citizens  I  cannot 
hesitate  to  contribute  my  best  endeavours  to- 
wards the  establishment  of  the  national  security, 
in  whatever  manner  the  sovereign  power  may 
think  proper  to  direct,  until  the  ratification  of 
the  definitive  treaty  of  peace,  or  the  final  evacua- 
tion of  our  country  by  the  British  forces,  after 
either  of  which  events,  I  shall  ask  permission  to 
retire  to  the  peaceful  shade  of  private  life. 

Perhaps  Sir  no  occasion  may  offer  more  suit- 
able than  the  present,  to  express  my  humble 
thanks  to  God  and  my  grateful  acknowledgments 
to  my  country,  for  the  great  and  uniform  support 
I   have  received  in  every  vicissitude  of  fortune 


DEFINITIVE    TREATY.  36 1 

and  for  the  many  distinguished  honors  which 
Congress  have  been  pleased  to  confer  upon  me 
in  the  course  of  the  War  "  ^ 


HON.   JOHN   ADAMS   TO   HIS    EXCELLENCY    ELIAS    BOUDI- 
NOT,    ESQ. 

Paris  September  i,  1783. 

Sir 

Wednesday  the  third  of  this  Month  is  ap- 
pointed for  the  Signature  of  the  Definitive  Trea- 
ties of  Peace.  Unable  to  obtain  any  addition  or 
Explanation,  we  have  been  obliged  to  agree  to 
sign  the  Provisional  articles,  over  again  with  only 
a  Preamble,  making  them  a  Definitive  Treaty. 
No  Regulation  of  Commerce  is  agreed  upon,  and 
indeed  we  have  no  Commission  or  Authority  to 
make  any.  We  have  thus  lost  Seven  or  Eight 
months  of  our  time. 

When  the  definitive  Treaty  shall  be  signed,  I 
suppose  our  Commission  for  Peace  will  be  exe- 
cuted. I  expected  long  before  this  to  have  re- 
ceived My  Letter  of  Recall  to  their  High  Might- 
inesses and  to  the  Prince  of  Orange,  in  which  case 
I  shall  now  have  been  at  liberty  to  reimbark  for 
America,  but  as  it  is  not  arrived,  I  can  not  with 
entire  Decency  to  Congress,  or  to  the  States  Gen- 
eral, or  to  the  Prince,  force  myself  away,  and  a 
letter  of  Recall  will  not  probably  now  arrive  un- 
till  it  will  be  too  late  for  a  Fall  Passage,  so  that 
I  shall  be  necessitated  to  undertake  another 
Winter  Voyage,  or  wait  untill  Spring. 

1  Jourttal  of  Congress. 


362  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

I  beg  leave  to  recommend  Mr.  Thaxter,  the 
bearer  of  this,  and  of  the  Definitive  Treaty  to 
Congress.  He  is  descended  from  several  of  the 
most  ancient  and  honourable  families  in  the 
Massachusetts.  He  has  had  the  best  education 
which  our  Country  affords.  He  has  been  now 
more  than  five  years  in  the  public  Service  and 
without  the  least  reward,  all  that  has  been  al- 
lowed him  not  having  been  enough  for  his  neces- 
sary Expenses.  He  is  exceeded  by  no  one  in 
Industry,  or  Fidelity,  is  not  deficient  in  Address, 
and  is  well  acquainted  with  the  French  Language, 
nor  ignorant  of  the  Dutch,  and  has  a  just  View 
of  our  Foreign  Affairs,  if  Congress  has  occasion 
for  a  Secretary  of  Legation  &  Charge  des  Affairs 
in  any  part  of  Europe  I  am  persuaded  they  will 
not  be  able  to  find  a  Man  better  qualified  for  the 
Place,  or  who  has  a  better  Title,  to  it,  in  Point  of 
Merit 

With  the  greatest  Respect,  I  have  the 
Honour  to  be.  Sir,  your  most  obe- 
dient and  most  humble  Servant 

John  Adams. 

His  Excellency  E.  Boudinot  Esq' 
President  of  Congress  ^ 

HON.    JOHN    ADAMS    TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

Paris  Sept.  5th  1783. 

Sir 

On  Wednesday  the  third  of  this  Month  the 
American  Ministers  met  the  British  Minister  at 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  84,  vol.  v.  p.  177. 


DEFINITIVE    TREATY    SIGNED.  363 

his  Lodgings  at  the  Hotel  de  York,  and  signed 
sealed  and  delivered  the  Definitive  Treaty  of 
Peace  between  the  United  States  of  America  and 
the  King  of  Great  Britain.  Altho'  it  is  but  a 
Confirmation  or  Repetition  of  the  Provisional 
Articles,  I  have  the  honor  to  congratulate  Con- 
gress upon  it,  as  it  is  a  Completion  of  the  work 
of  Peace,  and  the  best  we  could  obtain.  Nothing 
remains  now  to  be  done  but  a  Treaty  of  Com- 
merce—  But  this  in  my  opinion  cannot  be  nego- 
tiated without  a  new  Commission  from  Congress 
to  some  one  or  more  Persons.  Time,  it  is  easy 
to  foresee,  will  not  be  likely  to  render  the  British 
Nation  more  disposed  to  a  Regulation  of  Com- 
merce favourable  to  Us  &  therefore  my  advice  is 
to  issue  a  Commission  as  soon  as  may  be. 

There  is  another  subject,  on  v/hich  I  beg  leave 
to  represent  to  Congress  My  Sentiments,  because 
they  seem  to  me  of  Importance,  and  because  they 
differ  from  many  Sanguine  opinions,  which  will 
be  communicated  to  the  members  of  that  as- 
sembly from  Partisans  both  of  England  and 
France.  In  the  late  deliberations  concerning  an 
acceptance  of  the  Mediation  of  the  two  Imperial 
Courts,  the  British  Minister  refused  it;  and  in 
the  Conferences  we  had  with  the  Comte  de  Ver- 
gennes  upon  this  subject,  it  was  manifest  enough 
to  me,  that  he  was  not  fond  of  our  accepting  it  — 
For  altho'  he  maintained  a  perfect  Impartiality  of 
Language,  neither  advising  Us  for  nor  against 
the  measure,  yet  at  last,  when  it  was  observed 


364  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

that  Mr.  Hartley  was  averse  to  it,  he  turned  to 
Dr.  Franklin  and  said,  that  we  Must  agree  with 
Mr.  Hartley  about  it,  with  such  a  Countenance, 
Air  and  Tone  of  Voice,  (for  from  these  you  must 
often  collect  the  Sentiments  of  Ministers)  as  con- 
vinced me,  he  did  not  wish  the  Mediation  should 
take  place.  It  was  not  a  Subject,  which  would 
bear  insisting  on  either  way.  I  therefore  made 
no  difficulty — But  I  am  upon  recollection  fully 
of  opinion,  that  we  should  have  done  wisely  to 
have  sent  our  Letter  to  the  Imperial  Ministers, 
accepting  the  Mediation  on  our  Part.  The  Sig- 
nature of  these  Ministers  would  have  given  Us 
Reputation  in  Europe,  and  among  our  own  Citi- 
zens. I  mention  these,  because  I  humbly  con- 
ceive, that  Congress  ought  in  all  their  Proceed- 
ings to  consider,  the  opinion  that  the  United 
States  or  the  People  of  America  will  entertain 
of  themselves.  We  may  call  this  National  Van- 
ity or  National  Pride,  but  it  is  the  main  Principle 
of  the  National  Sense  of  its  own  Dignity,  and  a 
Passion  in  human  Nature ;  without  which  nations 
cannot  preserve  the  Character  of  Men.  Let  the 
People  lose  this  Sentiment,  as  in  Poland,  and  a 
Partition  of  their  Country  will  soon  take  place. 
Our  Country  has  but  lately  been  a  dependent 
one,  and  our  People  altho'  enlightened  and  vir- 
tuous, have  had  their  Minds  and  Hearts  habit- 
ually filled  with  all  the  Passions  of  a  dependent, 
subordinate  People,  that  is  to  say,  with  Fear,  with 
Diffidence  and  Distrust  of  themselves,  with  Ad- 


PUBLIC    OPINION    OF    AMERICA    IN    EUROPE.       365 

miration  of  Foreigners  &c.  Now  I  say,  that  it 
is  one  of  the  most  necessary  &  one  of  the  most 
difficult  Branches  of  the  Policy  of  Congress  to 
eradicate  from  the  American  Mind  every  remain- 
ing Fibre  of  this  Fear  and  Self  Diffidence  on  the 
one  hand,  and  of  this  excessive  Admiration  of 
Foreigners  on  the  other.  It  cannot  be  doubted 
one  moment,  that  a  solemn  acknowledgment  of 
Us,  by  the  Signature  of  the  two  Imperial  Courts, 
would  have  had  such  a  Tendency  in  the  Minds 
of  our  Country  men  —  But  we  should  also  con- 
sider, upon  every  occasion,  how  our  Reputation 
will  be  Affected  in  Europe.  We  shall  not  find 
it  easy  to  keep  up  the  Respect  for  us,  that  has 
been  excited  by  the  continual  publication  of  the 
exploits  of  the  War.  In  the  Calm  of  Peace  litde 
will  be  said  about  us  in  Europe,  unless  we  pre- 
pare for  it,  but  by  those  who  have  designs  upon 
us.  We  may  depend  upon  it  everything  will  be 
said  in  Europe,  and  in  the  Gazette,  which  any 
Body  in  Europe  wants  to  have  repeated  in  Amer- 
ica, to  make  such  Impressions  upon  the  Minds  of 
our  Citizens  as  he  desires.  It  will  become  us 
therefore  to  do  everything  in  our  Power,  to  make 
reasonable  &  just  Impressions  upon  the  public 
opinion  in  Europe.  The  Signature  of  the  two 
Imperial  Courts  would  have  been  a  deep  &  im- 
portant Impression  in  our  favor,  upon  full  one 
half  of  Europe,  as  Friends  to  those  Courts,  and 
upon  all  the  other  half,  as  Enemies.  I  need  not 
explain  myself  further.     I  may  however  add,  that 


366  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

Americans  can  scarcely  conceive  the  decisive  In- 
fluence of  the  Governments  of  Europe  upon  their 
People.  Every  Nation  is  a  Piece  of  Clock- Work 
—  Every  Wheel  is  under  the  absolute  direction 
of  the  Sovereign  as  its  Weight  or  Spring.  In 
Consequence  of  this,  all  that  Moiety  of  Mankind, 
that  are  subject  to  the  two  Imperial  Courts  and 
their  Allies,  would  in  consequence  of  their  Medi- 
ation, have  been  openly  and  decidedly  our  Friends 
at  this  Hour,  and  the  other  half  of  Europe  would 
certainly  have  respected  Us  the  more  for  this  — 
But  at  present,  the  two  Imperial  Courts,  not  hav- 
ing signed  the  Treaty,  all  their  Friends  are  left  in 
a  State  of  Doubt  and  Timidity  concerning  Us. 

From  all  the  Conversations  I  have  had  with 
the  Comte  de  Mercy  and  Mr.  Marhoff,  it  is  cer- 
tain, that  the  two  Courts  wished,  as  these  Minis- 
ters certainly  were  Ambitious,  to  sign  our  Treaty. 
They  and  their  Sovereigns  wished  that  their 
names  mij^ht  be  read  in  America,  and  there 
respected  as  our  Friends.  But  this  is  now  past. 
England  and  France  will  be  most  perfectly  united 
in  all  Artifices  and  Endeavors  to  keep  down  our 
Reputation  at  Home  and  abroad  —  to  Mortify 
our  self  Conceit,  and  to  lessen  Us  in  the  opinion 
of  the  World.  If  we  will  not  see,  we  must  be  the 
Dupes.  We  need  not  for  we  have  in  our  own 
Power,  with  the  common  blessing  the  Means  of 
every  thing  we  want.  There  is  but  one  course 
now  left  to  retrieve  the  Error,  and  that  is  to  send 
a  Minister  to  Vienna,  with  Power  to  make  a 
Treaty  with  both  the  Imperial  Courts.     Congress 


COMMERCIAL    CONNECTIONS.  367 

must  send  a  Minister  first,  or  it  never  will  be 
done.  The  Emperor  never  sends  first,  nor  will 
England  ever  send  a  Minister  to  America  until 
Consfress  shall  send  one  to  London. 

To  form  immediate  Commercial  connections 
with  that  half  of  Europe,  which  ever  has  been, 
and,  with  little  variations,  ever  will  be  opposite  to 
the  House  of  Bourbon,  is  a  fundamental  Maxim 
of  that  System  of  American  Politicks,  which  I 
have  pursued  invariably  from  the  beginning  of 
this  War.  It  is  the  only  means  of  preserving  the 
Respect  of  the  House  of  Bourbon  itself — It  is 
the  only  Means  in  conjunction  with  our  connec- 
tions with  the  House  of  Bourbon  already  formed, 
to  secure  Us  the  Respect  of  England  for  any 
long  time,  and  to  keep  Us  out  of  another  War 
with  that  Kingdom.  It  is  in  short  the  only  possi- 
ble means  of  securing  to  our  Country  that  Peace, 
Neutrality,  Impartiality  and  Indifference  in  Eu- 
ropean Wars,  which  in  my  opinion  we  shall  be 
unwise  in  the  last  degree  if  we  do  not  maintain. 
It  is  besides  the  only  way,  in  which  we  can  im- 
prove and  extend  our  Commercial  Connections 
to  the  best  advantage. 

With  great  respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
Sir, 

Your  most  obedient  &  most  humble  servant 

John  Adams 

His  Excellency 
Elias  Boudinot  Esq' 
President  of  Congress  ^ 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  104,  vol.  v.  p.  70. 


368  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

HON.   JOHN    ADAMS    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY   ELIAS   BOUDI- 
NOT,   ESQ. 

Paris  Sep*  8th  1783. 

Sir 

Yesterday  morning  Mr.  Jay  informed  me  that 
Dr.  Franklin  had  received,  &  soon  afterwards  the 
Dr.  put  into  my  hands  the  Resolution  of  Con- 
gress of  the  first  of  May,  ordering  a  Commission 
and  Instructions  to  be  prepared  to  those  gentle- 
men and  myself  for  making  a  Treaty  of  Com- 
merce with  Great  Britain.  This  Resolution,  with 
your  Excellency's  Letter,  arrived  very  seasonably, 
as  Mr.  Hartley  was  setting  off  for  London,  with 
Information  from  Us  that  our  Powers  were  exe- 
cuted. 

I  am  very  sensible  of  the  Honor  that  is  done 
me  by  this  Resolution  of  Congress,  &  of  the 
great  Importance  of  the  Business  committed  to 
our  Care,  and  shall  not  therefore  hesitate  to  take 
a  part  in  it.  I  can  attend  to  this  Business  and 
at  the  same  time  have  some  Care  of  your  affairs 
in  Holland,  and  in  Case  the  present  Loan  should 
be  full,  in  the  Course  of  the  next  Winter  I  can 
open  a  new  one,  either  by  going  to  Amsterdam, 
or  by  having  the  obligations  sent  to  me  in  Paris 
to  be  signed.  In  this  way  there  will  be  no  addi- 
tional Expence  to  the  Publick,  as  I  have  informed 
Mr.  Dumas  that  there  must  be  no  Expence  made 
at  the  Hague  on  my  account,  or  on  account  of 
Congress,  but  that  all  his  Expences  must  be 
borne  by  himself,  or  he  must  at  least  settle  them 


MR.    DUMAS.  369 

with  Congress.  I  have  so  much  regard  for  this 
gentleman,  and  such  an  opinion  of  his  Worth  & 
Merit,  that  I  cannot  but  recommend  him  upon 
this  occasion  to  Congress  for  the  Commission  of 
Secretary  of  that  Legation.  But  as  economy  is 
and  ought  to  be  carefully  attended  to,  I  presume 
not  to  point  out  the  Salary  which  will  be  proper. 
There  are  so  many  ways  of  pillaging  when  in 
Europe,  that  it  will  be  difHcult  for  Congress  to 
conceive  the  Expences  which  are  unavoidable  in 
these  Countries  —  If  the  principle  of  economy 
should  restrain  Congress  from  sending  Ministers 
to  Vienna,  Petersburg,  Copenhagen  &  Lisbon, 
they  will  probably  send  a  Commission  to  Paris 
to  negotiate  Treaties  there  —  because  I  think  it 
will  appear  to  be  of  great  Importance,  both  in  a 
political  &  Commercial  light,  to  have  Treaties 
with  those  Powers.  If  this  should  be  the  Case, 
as  three  of  Us  shall  be  now  obliged  to  attend  at 
Paris  the  tedious  Negotiations  with  England,  we 
can  all  at  the  same  time  &  with  the  same  expence 
attend  to  the  negotiations  with  the  other  Powers, 
which  will  afford  to  all  an  opportunity  of  throw- 
ing in  any  hints  which  may  occur  for  the  public 
good,  and  will  have  a  much  better  appearance  In 
the  Eyes  of  Europe  &  America.  I  do  not  hesi- 
tate therefore  to  request,  that  if  such  a  Commis- 
sion or  Commissions  should  be  sent,  that  all  your 
Ministers  in  Europe  may  be  Inserted  in  It.  If 
the  arrangement  should  make  any  difficulty  in 
America  it  will  make  none  with  me.     For  altho' 


370  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

I  think  there  was  good  reason  for  the  order  in 
which  the  Names  stand  in  the  new  Commission 
for  Peace,  &  in  the  Resolution  for  a  new  Commis- 
sion for  a  Treaty  of  Commerce,  that  Reason  will 
not  exist  in  any  future  Commission. 

Mr.  Hartley's  Powers  are  sufficient  to  go 
through  the  negotiations  with  Us,  and  I  suppose 
it  will  be  chiefly  conducted  at  Paris  —  Yet  we 
may  all  think  it  proper  to  make  a  Tour  to  Lon- 
don for  a  few  weeks,  especially  in  Case  any  Mate- 
rial obstacle  should  arise.  We  are  told  that  such 
a  Visit  would  have  a  good  Effect  at  Court  and 
with  the  Nation  —  At  least,  it  seems  clear  it 
would  do  no  Harm. 

With  the  greatest  respect  &  Esteem  I  have  the 
Honor  to  be.  Sir,  Your 

most  obedient  and  most  humble  servant 

John  Adams 

His  Excellency 
Elias  Eoudinot, 

President  of  Congress.^ 

HONORABLE  JOHN    ADAMS    TO    HIS    EXCELLF,NCY   ELIAS 
BOUDINOT,    ESQ. 

Paris  September  8,  1783. 

Sir 

As  the  Resolution  of  Congress  of  the  first  of 
May,  has  determined  it  to  be  My  Duty  to  remain 
in  Europe  at  least  another  Winter  I  shall  be 
obliged  to  say  Many  Things  to  your  Excellency 
by  Letter,  which  I  hoped  to  have  had  the  honour 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  84,  vol.  v.  p.  189. 


FOREIGN    NEWSPAPERS.  37 1 

of  saying  upon  the  Floor  of  your  house.  Some 
of  these  things  may  be  thought  at  first  of  little 
Consequence  but  Time  and  Inquiry  and  Con- 
sideration will  Show  them  to  have  Weight,  of  this 
sort  is  the  subject  of  this  Letter. 

The  Views  and  Designs,  the  Intrigues  and 
Projects  of  Courts,  are  let  out  by  insensible  de- 
grees and  with  infinite  Art  and  Delicacy  in  the 
Gazettes.  These  Channels  of  Communications 
are  very  Numerous,  and  they  are  Artificially  com- 
plicated in  such  a  manner,  that  very  few  Per- 
sons are  able  to  trace  the  Sources  from  whence 
Insinuations  and  Projects  flow.  The  English 
Papers  are  an  Engine,  by  which  everything  is 
scattered  all  over  the  world.  They  are  open  and 
free,  the  eyes  of  Mankind  are  fixed  upon  them. 
They  are  taken  by  all  Courts  and  all  Politicians 
and  by  almost  all  Gazetteers.  Of  these  Papers 
the  French  Emissaries  in  London  even  in  Time 
of  War,  but  especially  in  Time  of  Peace  make  a 
very  great  use.  They  insert  in  them  things  which 
they  wish  to  have  circulated  Far  and  Wide  — 
Some  of  the  Paragraphs  inserted  in  them,  will  do 
to  circulate  through  all  Europe,  and  some  will 
not,  in  the  Courier  de  L'Europe  —  This  is  the 
most  Artfull  Paper  in  the  World  it  is  continually 
accommodating  between  the  French  and  English 
Ministry  if  it  should  offend  the  English  essen- 
tially, the  Ministry  would  prevent  its  publication, 
if  it  should  Sin  against  the  French  unpardonably, 
the  Ministry  would  instantly  stop  its  Circulation 


372  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

It  Is  therefore  continually  under  the  Influence 
of  the  French  Ministers,  whose  under  workers 
have  many  Things  translated  from  the  English 
Papers,  and  many  others  inserted  in  it  originally, 
but  to  the  End  that  they  may  be  circulated  over 
the  World,  and  particularly,  that  they  may  be 
seen  by  the  King  of  France,  who  reads  this  Paper 
constantly,  from  the  English  Papers  and  the 
Courier  de  I'Europe  many  things  are  transferred 
into  various  other  Gazettes,  the  Courier  du  Bas 
Rhin,  the  Gazette  des  Deux  Fonts,  the  Courier 
d'Avignon  and  the  Gazette  des  Pays  Bas.  The 
Gazettes  of  Leyden  and  Amsterdam  are  some- 
times used  for  the  more  Grave  and  Solid  Objects, 
those  of  Deux  Fonts  and  Avignon  for  popular 
Topicks  the  small  Talk  of  Coffee  Houses,  and 
still  smaller  and  lower  Circles.  All  these  Papers 
and  many  others  discover  a  perpetual  complai- 
sance for  the  French  Ministry  because  they  are 
always  in  their  Power  so  entirely  that  if  an  offen- 
sive Paragraph  appears,  the  Entrance  and  Dis- 
tribution of  the  Gazette  may  be  stopped  by  an 
order  from  Court,  by  which  the  Gazetteer  loses 
the  sale  of  his  Paper  in  France  which  is  a  great 
pecuniary  object. 

Whoever  shall  hereafter  come  to  Europe,  in 
any  publick  Employment  and  take  in  the  Papers 
above  enumerated,  will  acknowledge  his  obliga- 
tions to  me  for  Mentioning  them.  He  will  find 
them  a  constant  source  of  amusement,  &  some- 
times of   usefull    Discoveries.      I    may  hereafter 


MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    HON.    BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN.    373 

Possibly,  entertain  Congress  with  some  curious 
Speculations  from  these  Gazettes,  which  have  all 
their  attention  fixed  upon  us,  &  very  often  honour 
us  with  their  animadversions,  Sometimes  with 
their  Grave  Councils,  but  oftener  still  with  very 
sly  and  subtle  Insinuations. 

With  great  respect  and  esteem 
I  have  the  honor  to  be.  Sir,  your 
most  obedient  and  most  humble 
Servant 

John  Adams. 

His  Excellency, 
Elias  Boudinot  Esq' 
President  of  Congress.^ 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  THE  HONORABLE    BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN. 

Phil^  9  Sept.  1783. 

Sir 

Being  by  accident  at  this  City  and  an  oppor- 
tunity offering,  I  do  myself  the  honor  of  enclos- 
ing a  duplicate  of  the  Ratification  of  the  Treaty 
with  Sweden,  the  original  of  which  I  transmitted 
some  time  since,  but  not  having  the  copy  of  the 
letter  attending  it  by  me,  I  am  prevented  from 
sending  duplicate  of  it,  unless  this  opportunity  is 
risqued  — 

I  am  happy  to  enclose  you  some  resolutions  of 
the  Assembly  of  P.  by  which  you  will  see  all  the 
difficulties  that  arose  on  account  of  the  Mutiny 
now  happily  subsided  without  producing  the  least 
ill  consequences 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  104,  vol.  v.  p.  82. 


374  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

The  Soldiers  were  very  penitent  &  two  of  the 
Sergeants  are  now  under  sentence  of  Death  but 
I  believe  will  be  pardoned  by  Congress,  on  ac*  of 
the  means  used  by  Capt  Carberry  &  Lieut  Sulli- 
van to  induce  those  poor  wretches  to  behave  as 
they  did,  under  expectations  of  great  personal  ad- 
vantage —  I  hope  these  two  Officers  will  meet  with 
proper  detestation  by  all  good  men  — 

The  Hon"*  Benjamin  Franklin 
Minister  &c 
Paris  ^ 

FROM    THE    COMMISSIONERS    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    ELIAS 

BOUDINOT,    ESQ.,    PRESIDENT    OF    CONGRESS. 

(Passy,  loth 
(Sept.  1783 

Sir 

On  the  third  instant,  Definitive  Treaties,  were 
concluded  between  all  the  late  belligerent  Powers, 
except  the  Dutch,  who  the  day  before  settled  and 
signed  Preliminary  Articles  of  Peace  with  Bri- 
tain. 

We  most  sincerely  and  cordially  congratulate 
Congress  and  our  Country  in  general  on  this 
happy  event,  and  we  hope  that  the  same  kind 
Providence  which  has  led  us  thro'  a  vigorous 
War,  to  an  honourable  Peace,  will  enable  us  to 
make  a  wise  and  moderate  use  of  that  inestimable 
blessing. 

We  have  committed  a  Duplicate  Original  of 
the  Treaty  to  the  care  of  Mr.  Thaxter,  who  will 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  244. 


ACCOUNT    OF    DEFINITIVE    TREATYo  375 

go  immediately  to  L'Orient,  whence  he  will  sail 
in  the  French  Packet  to  New  York.  That  Gen- 
tleman left  America  with  Mr.  Adams  as  his  pri- 
vate Secretary,  and  his  conduct  having  been 
perfectly  satisfactory  to  that  Minister,  rejoice  in 
recommending  him  to  the  attention  of  Congress. 
We  have  ordered  Mr.  Grand  to  pay  him  one 
hundred  and  thirty  Louis  dors,  on  account  of 
the  reasonable  expenses  to  be  incurred  by  his 
Mission  to  Congress,  and  his  Journey  from 
thence  to  his  Family  at  Hingham  in  the  Massa- 
chusetts Bay.  For  the  Disposition  of  the  Money 
he  is  to  account. 

The  Definitive  Treaty  being  in  the  Terms  of 
the  Provisional  Articles,  and  not  Comprehending 
any  of  the  Objects  of  our  subsequent  Negotiations, 
it  is  proper  that  we  give  a  Summary  account  of 
them. 

When  Mr.  Hartley  arrived  here,  he  brought 
with  him  only  a  set  of  instructions  signed  by  the 
King.  We  objected  to  proceeding  with  him  un- 
til he  should  have  a  Commission  in  Form.  This 
occasioned  some  Delay  —  a  proper  Commission 
was  however  transmitted  to  him,  a  Copy  of  which 
was  shortly  after  sent  to  Mr.  Livingston. 

We  having  been  instructed  to  obtain,  if  possi- 
ble, an  Article  for  a  Direct  Trade  to  the  West 
Indies,  made  to  Mr.  Hartley  the  Proposition  No.  i. 

He  approved  of  it  greatly  and  recommended 
it  to  his  Court,  but  they  declined  assenting  to  it. 

Mr.  Hartley  then  made  us  the  proposition  No.  2 


376  ELI  AS     BOUDINOT. 

but  on  being  asked  whether  he  was  authorized 
to  sign  it,  in  case  we  agreed  to  it,  he  answered  in 
the  Negative.  We  therefore  thought  it  improper 
to  proceed  to  the  Consideration  of  it  until  after 
he  should  have  obtained  the  Consent  of  his  Court 
to  it.  We  also  desired  to  be  informed  whether 
his  Court  would  or  would  not  comprehend  Ire- 
land in  their  Stipulations  with  us. 

The  British  Cabinet  would  not  adopt  Mr. 
Hartley's  Propositions,  but  their  letters  to  him 
were  calculated  to  inspire  us  with  Expectations, 
that  as  nothing  but  particular  local  circumstances, 
which  would  probably  not  be  of  long  duration,  re- 
strained them  from  preferring  the  most  liberal 
system  of  Commerce  with  us,  the  Ministry  would 
take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  gratifying  their 
own  wishes  as  well  as  ours,  on  that  Subject. — 

Mr.  Hartley  then  made  us  the  Proposition  No. 
3.  At  this  time  we  were  informed  that  Letters 
for  us  had  arrived  in  France  from  Philad\  We 
expected  to  receive  Instructions  in  them,  and  told 
Mr.  Hartley  that  this  Expectation  induced  us  to 
postpone  giving  him  an  answer  for  a  few  days. 

The  vessel  by  which  we  had  expected  these 
letters,  it  seems  had  not  brought  any  for  us.  But 
at  the  Time  Information  arrived  from  America, 
that  our  Ports  were  all  opened  to  British  vessels. 
Mr.  Hartley  thereupon  did  not  think  himself  at 
liberty  to  proceed,  until  after  he  should  commu- 
nicate that  Intelligence  to  his  Court,  and  receive 
their  further  Instructions. 


ACCOUNT   OF    DEFINITIVE    TREATY.  377 

Those  further  Instructions  never  came,  and 
thus  our  Endeavours  as  to  commercial  Regula- 
tions proved  fruitless.  We  had  many  Confer- 
ences &  reed  long  Memorials  from  Mr.  Hartley 
on  the  Subject ;  but  his  Zeal  for  Systems  friendly 
to  us,  constantly  exceeded  his  Authority  to  con- 
cert and  agree  to  them. 

During  the  long  Interval  of  his  expecting  In- 
structions, for"  his  Expectations  were  permitted 
to  exist  almost  to  the  last,  we  proceeded  to  make 
and  receive  Propositions  for  perfecting  the  Defi- 
nitive Treaty.  Details  of  all  the  Amendments, 
Alterations,  Objections,  Exceptions  &c.  which  oc- 
curred in  the  Course  of  these  Discussions,  would 
be  voluminous. 

We  finally  agreed  that  he  should  send  to  his 
Court,  the  Project  or  Draft  of  a  Treaty  No.  4. 
He  did  so,  but  after  much  Time,  and  when 
pressed  by  France,  who  insisted  that  we  should 
all  conclude  together,  He  was  instructed  to  sign 
a  Definitive  Treaty  in  the  Terms  of  the  Provi- 
sional Articles. 

Whether  the  British  Court  meant  to  avoid  a 
Definitive  Treaty  with  us,  thro'  a  vain  hope  from 
the  exagerated  accounts  of  Divisions  among  our 
People,  and  want  of  Authority  in  Congress,  that 
some  Revolution  might  soon  happen  in  their 
favour,  or  whether  their  dilatory  conduct  was 
caused  by  the  Strife  of  the  two  opposite  and 
nearly  equal  Parties  in  the  Cabinet,  is  hard  to 
decide.  — 


378  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Your  Excellency  will  observe,  that  the  Treaty 
was  siofned  at  Paris  &  not  at  Versailles.  Mr. 
Hartley's  letter  No,  5  &  our  answer  No.  6  will 
explain  this.  His  objections,  and  indeed  our 
Proceedings  in  general,  were  communicated  to 
the  French  Minister,  who  was  content  that  we 
should  acquiesce,  but  desired  that  we  should  ap- 
point the  signing  early  in  the  morning,  and  give 
him  an  account  of  it  at  Versailles,  by  Express, 
for  that  he  would  not  proceed  to  sign  on  the  part 
of  France,  'till  he  was  sure  that  our  Business  was 
done. 

The  Day  after  the  signature  of  the  Treaty, 
Mr.  Hartley  wrote  us  a  congratulatory  letter  No. 
7,  to  which  we  returned  the  answer  No.  8. 

He  is  gone  to  England,  and  expects  soon  to 
return  —  which  for  our  Part,  we  think  uncertain. 
We  have  taken  care  to  speak  to  him  in  strong 
Terms,  on  the  subject  of  the  Evacuation  of  New 
York,  and  the  other  important  Subjects  proper  to 
be  mentioned  to  him  —  We  think  we  may  rely 
on  his  doing  everything  in  his  Power  to  influence 
his  Court  to  do  what  they  ought  to  do,  but  it 
does  not  appear  that  they  have  as  yet  formed  any 
settled  System  for  their  Conduct  relative  to*  the 
United  States. 

We  cannot  but  think  that  the  late  and  present 
aspect  of  Affairs  in  America  has  had,  and  contin- 
ues to  have,  an  unfavorable  Influence,  not  only  in 
Britain  but  throughout  Europe. 

In  whatever   Light  the  article  respecting  the 


SIGNATURE    OF    TREATY.  379 

Tories  may  be  view'd  in  America,  it  is  considered 
in  Europe  as  very  humiliating  to  Britain,  and 
therefore  as  being  one  which  we  ought  in  Honor 
to  perform  and  fulfil  with  the  most  scrupulous 
Reo^ard  to  sfood  Faith  and  in  a  manner  least  of- 
fensive  to  the  Feelings  of  the  King  and  Court  of 
G.  Britain,  who  upon  that  point  are  extremely 
tender. 

The  unseasonable  and  unnecessary  resolves  of 
various  Towns  on  this  Subject,  the  actual  expul- 
sion of  Tories  from  some  places,  and  the  avow'd 
Implacability  of  almost  all  who  have  published 
their  sentiments  about  the  Matter,  are  Circum- 
stances which  are  construed,  not  only  to  the  Pre* 
judice  of  our  National  Magnanimity  and  good 
Faith,  but  also  to  the  Prejudice  of  our  Govern- 
ment. 

Popular  Committees  are  considered  here,  as 
with  us,  in  the  Light  of  Substitutes  to  Constitu- 
tional Government,  and  as  being  only  necessary 
in  the  Interval  between  the  Removal  of  the  for- 
mer and  the  Establishment  of  the  present. 

The  Constitutions  of  the  different  States  have 
been  translated  and  published  &  pains  have  been 
taken  to  lead  Europe  to  believe  that  the  American 
States  not  only  made  their  own  Laws,  but  obey'd 
them.  But  the  continuance  of  popular  Assem- 
blies conven'd  expressly  to  deliberate  on  Matters 
proper  only  for  the  Cognizance  of  the  different 
Legislatures  &  Officers  of  Government  and  their 
proceeding  not  only  to  ordain,  but  to  enforce  their 


380  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Resolutions,  has  exceedingly  lessen'd  the  Dignity 
of  the  States  in  the  Eyes  of  these  Nations. 

To  this  we  may  also  add  that  the  situation  of 
the  Army  the  Reluctance  of  the  people  to  pay 
Taxes  and  the  Circumstances  under  which  Con- 
gress removed  from  Philadelphia,  have  diminished 
the  Admiration  in  which  the  People  of  America 
were  held  among  the  Nations  of  Europe,  &  some- 
what abated  their  Ardor  for  forming  Connections 
with  us,  before  our  Affairs  acquire  a  greater  de- 
gree of  Order  and  Consistence. 

Permit  us  to  observe  that  in  our  opinion  the 
Recommendation  of  Congress  promised  in  the  5 
Article,  should  immediately  be  made  in  the  Terms 
of  it  and  published;  and  that  the  States  should 
be  requested  to  take  it  into  consideration  as  soon 
as  the  Evacuation  by  the  Enemy  shall  be  com- 
pleated.  "  It  is  also  much  to  be  wished  that  the 
Legislatures  may  not  involve  all  the  Tories  in 
Banishment  and  Ruin,  but  that  such  Discrimina- 
tions may  be  made,  as  to  entitle  the  Decisions  to 
the  Approbation  of  disinterested  men,  and  dispas- 
sionate Posterity." 

On  the  7"  Inst,  we  received  your  Excellency's 
letter  of  the  16  June  last,  covering  a  Resolution  of 
Congress  of  the  ist  May  directing  a  commission 
to  us  for  making  a  Treaty  of  Commerce  &c  with 
G.  Britain.  This  Intelligence  arrived  very  Oppor- 
tunely to  prevent  the  anti-American  Party  from 
ascribing  any  Delays  on  our  part  to  Motives  of 
Resentment  in  England  to  that  Country.     Great 


TREATIES    OF    COMMERCE.  38 1 

Britain  will  send  a  Minister  to  Congress  as  soon 
as  Congress  shall  send  a  Minister  to  Britain  &  we 
think  much  good  riiight  result  from  that  Measure. 

The  Information  of  Mr.  Dumas,  that  we  en- 
couraged the  Idea  of  entering  into  Engagements 
with  the  Dutch  to  defend  the  Freedom  of  Trade 
was  not  well  founded.  Our  Sentiments  on  that 
Subject  exactly  correspond  with  those  of  Congress 
nor  did  we  even  think  or  pretend  that  we  had 
authority  to  adopt  any  such  Measures. 

We  have  reason  to  think  that  the  Emperor  and 
Russia  &  other  Commercial  Nations,  are  ready  to 
make  Treaties  of  Commerce  with  the  United 
States.  Perhaps  it  might  not  be  improper  for 
Congress  to  direct  that  their  Disposition  on  the 
Subject,  be  communicated  to  those  Courts  & 
thereby  prepare  the  way  for  such  Treaties. 

The  Emperor  of  Morrocco  has  manifested  a 
very  friendly  Disposition  towards  us.  He  expects 
and  is  ready  to  receive  a  Minister  from  us,  and  as 
he  may  either  change  his  Mind,  or  may  be  suc- 
ceeded by  a  Prince  differently  disposed,  a  Treaty 
with  him  may  be  of  Importance.  Our  Trade  to 
the  Mediterranean  will  not  be  inconsiderable,  and 
the  Friendships  of  Morrocco,  Algiers,  Tunis  & 
Tripoli,  may  become  very  interesting,  in  case  the 
Russians  should  succeed  in  their  Endeavours  to 
Navigate  freely  into  it  by  Constantinople. 

Much,  we  think  will  depend  on  the  Success  of 
our  Negociations  with  England.  If  she  should 
be  prevailed  upon  to  agree   to  a  liberal  System  of 


382  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Commerce,  France  &  perhaps  some  other  Nations, 
will  follow  her  Example,  but  if  she  should  prefer 
an  exclusive  monopolizing  Plan,  it  is  probable 
that  her  Neighbors  will  continue  to  adhere  to 
their  favourite  Restrictions. 

Were  it  certain  that  the  United  States,  could 
be  brought  to  act  as  a  Nation,  and  would  jointly 
and  fairly  conduct  their  Commerce  on  Principles 
of  exact  Reciprocity,  with  all  Nations,  we  think  it 
probable  that  Britain  would  make  extensive  Con- 
cessions —  but  on  the  Contrary,  while  the  pros- 
pect of  Disunion  in  our  Councils,  or  want  of  Power 
&  Energy  in  our  Executive  Departments  exist, 
they  will  not  be  apprehensive  of  Retaliation,  and 
consequently  lose  their  principal  Motive  to  Lib- 
erality. Unless  with  respect  to  all  foreign  Nations 
and  Transactions,  we  uniformly  act  as  an  entire 
United  Nation,  faithfully  executing  and  obeying 
the  Constitutional  Acts  of  Congress  on  those  Sub- 
jects, we  shall  soon  find  ourselves  in  the  Situation 
in  which  all  Europe  Welshes  to  see  us,  viz.  —  as 
unimportant  Consumers  of  her  Manufactures  & 
Productions,  and  as  useful  Labourers  to  furnish 
her  with  raw  Materials. 

We  beg  leave  to  assure  Congress  that  we  shall 
apply  our  best  endeavours  to  execute  this  new 
commission  to  their  Satisfaction  &  shall  punctu- 
ally obey  such  Instructions  as  they  may  be  pleased 
to  give  us  relative  to  it. 

Unless  Congress  should  have  nominated  a  Sec- 
retary  to  that  Commission,  we  shall  consider  our- 


SECRETARY   TO    COMMISSION.  383 

selves  at  Liberty  to  appoint  one ;  and  as  we  are 
satisfied  with  the  conduct  of  Mr.  Franklin,  the 
Secretary  to  our  late  Commission,  we  purpose  to 
appoint  him,  leaving  it  to  Congress  to  make  him 
such  Compensation  for  his  services  as  they  may 
Judge  proper. 

Count  de  Vergennes  communicated  to  us  a 
Proposition  (viz  No.  9  herewith  enclosed)  for  ex- 
plaining the  2"d  &  3''d  Articles  of  our  Treaty  with 
France,  in  a  manner  different  from  the  Sense  in 
which  we  understand  them.  This  being  a  Matter 
in  which  we  had  no  right  to  interfere,  we  have  not 
expressed  any  Opinion  about  it  to  the  Court. 
With  great  respect. 

We  have  the  honor  to  be 
Sir 

Your  Excellency's 
Most  obedient  & 

Most  humble  serves 
John  Adams, 
B.  Franklin 
John  Jay.^ 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Franklin 
papers,  8  R.  262. 


CHAPTER   XX. 

Hon.  John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  view  of  further  measures  to  be 
taken  in  Europe ;  Hon.  Benjamin  Franklin  to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  Mr.  Bou- 
dinot's  additional  cares  owing  to  the  resignation  of  secretary  for  foreign 
affairs ;  medals  approved ;  first  and  last  clauses  in  treaty ;  treaty  with 
Morocco  ;  with  Denmark  ;  no  answer  yet  from  Portugal ;  false  reports 
of  situation  in  America;  present  of  medal  to  Grand  Master  of  Malta; 
court  of  France  still  favorable ;  English  endeavor  to  sow  dissensions ; 
sends  sundry  memorials.  —  Hon.  John  Adams  to  Mr.  Boudinot ;  sends 
copy  of  Dutch  treaty.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Hon.  Robert  R.  Livingston; 
forwards  letters,  papers,  and  medal ;  Mr.  Jay  to  resign  in  the  spring ; 
Mr.  Dana  at  St.  Petersburg ;  affairs  at  home.  —  To  General  Washington ; 
inclosing  act  of  Congress  for  admission  to  secret  papers.  —  Proclamation 
on  treaty  with  Sweden.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Hon.  Robert  R.  Livingston; 
anxiety  as  to  action  in  New  York ;  judges  know  preliminary  articles  iden- 
tical with  definitive  treaty ;  English  press  for  a  minister.  —  Hon.  Benjamin 
Franklin  to  Mr.  Boudinot;  Mr.  Thaxter  with  dispatches;  incloses  printed 
copy  of  definitive  treaty.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to  Philosophical  Society;  ex- 
tract from  letter  of  Hon.  William  Carmichael,  secretary  of  legation  in 
Spain  ;  nomination  of  honorary  members.  —  To  General  Carleton,  asking 
for  papers  seized  by  the  British  belonging  to  the  Hon.  Richard  Stockton. 

HON.    JOHN    ADAMS    TO    MR.    BOUDINOT. 

Paris  September  lo,  1783. 

Sir 

As  I  am  to  remain  in  Europe  for  some  time 
longer,  I  beg  Leave  to  take  a  cursory  view  of  what 
appears,  necessary  or  expedient  to  be  further  done 
in  Europe,  for  I  conceive  it  to  be  not  only  the 
Right  but  the  Duty  of  a  foreign  Minister  to  advise 
his  Sovereign  according  to  his  Lights  and  Judg- 
ment, although  the  More  extensive  Information, 
and  Superior  Wisdom  of  the  Sovereign  May  fre- 
quently see  Cause  to  pursue  a  different  Conduct. 


POWERS    TO    TREAT    WITH    BARBARY.  385 

With  Spain  no  doubt  Congress  will  negotiate 
by  a  particular  Minister  either  the  present  one  or 
another,  and  perhaps  it  would  be  proper  that  the 
same  should  treat  with  Naples.  With  the  two 
Empires,  Prussia,  Denmark,  Portugal  and  Sar- 
dinia and  Tuscany,  I  humbly  conceive  it  Might 
be  proper  to  negotiate,  and  perhaps  with  Ham- 
borough,  but  there  are  other  Powers  with  whom  it 
is  more  necessary  to  have  Treaties  than  it  ought 
to  be,  I  mean,  Morocco,  Algiers,  Tunis  &  Tripoli. 

I  presume  that  Congress  will  not  think  it  expe- 
dient to  be  at  the  expense  of  sending  Ministers  to 
all  those  Powers,  if  to  any,  perhaps  in  the  present 
state  of  our  Finances  it  may  not  be  worth  while 
to  send  any.  Yet  the  present  Time  is  the  best  to 
negotiate  with  all.  I  submit  it  to  consideration 
then  whether  it  is  not  desirable  to  send  a  Com- 
mission to  such  Ministers  as  you  Judge  proper, 
with  full  Powers  to  treat  with  all,  to  the  Ministers 
now  in  Paris,  or  to  any  others.  But  I  humbly 
conceive  that  if  Powers  to  treat  with  all  or  any  of 
these  States  are  sent  to  any  of  your  Ministers  now 
here,  it  would  be  for  the  publick  good  that  they 
should  be  sent  to  all.  If  Congress  can  find  Funds 
to  treat  vv^ith  the  Barbary  Powers  the  Ministers  here 
are  the  best  situated,  for  they  should  apply  to  the 
Court  of  Versailles  and  their  High  Mightinesses, 
in  the  first  place  that  orders  should  be  sent  to 
their  Consuls  according  to  Treaties  to  assist  US. 
Ministers  here  may  carry  on  this  negotiation  by 
Letters  or  may  be  empowered  to  send  an  Agent 
if  necessary. 


386  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

I  have  no  private  Interest  in  this  Business. 
My  Salary  will  be  the  same.  My  expences  more 
and  Labour  much  increased  by  such  a  measure. 
But  as  it  is  of  publick  Importance  I  think  that  no 
unnecessary  Delicacies  should  restrain  me  from 
suggesting  these  hints  to  Congress.  Whatever 
their  determination  may  be  will  be  satisfactory  to 
me. 

I  have  the  Honour  to  be 

with  the  greatest  Respect 

your  Excellency's  most  obedient 
&  most  humble  servant 

John  Adams. 

His  Excellency  Elias  Boudinot  Esq 
President  of  Congress.^ 

HON.    BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    ELIAS 
BOUDINOT,    ESQ. 

Passy,  13  Sept.  1783. 

Sir:  — 

I  received,  a  few  days  since,  the  private  letter 
Your  Excellency  did  me  the  honor  of  writing  to 
me  of  the  13th.  of  June.  I  regret  with  you,  the 
resignation  of  the  late  Secretary.  Your  present 
cares  are  increased  by  it,  and  it  will  be  difficult  to 
find  a  successor  of  equal  abilities.  We  found  no 
difficulty  in  deciphering  the  resolution  of  Con- 
gress. The  Commissioners  have  taken  no  notice 
of  it  in  our  public  letter. 

I  am  happy  to  hear  that  both  the  device  and 
the  workmanship  of  the  medal  are  approved  with 

1  MSS.   Archives,  Department  of  State,  W^ashington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  84,  vol.  v.,  p.  197. 


RATIFICATION    OF    PRELIMINARY    ARTICLES.     387 

you,  as  they  have  the  good  fortune  to  be  by  the 
best  judges  on  this  side  of  the  water.  It  has  been 
esteemed  a  well-timed,  as  well  as  a  well-merited, 
compliment  here,  and  has  its  good  effects.  Since 
the  two  first  which  you  mention  as  received,  I 
have  sent  by  different  opportunities,  so  many,  as 
that  every  member  of  Congress  might  have  one. 
I  hope  they  are  come  safe  to  hand  by  this  time,  I 
wrote  a  long  letter  to  Mr.  Livingston  by  Mr. 
Barney,  to  which  I  beg  leave  to  refer,  enclosing  a 
copy. 

We  had,  before  signing  the  definitive  treaty 
received  the  ratification  of  the  preliminary  articles 
by  his  Britannic  Majesty,  exchanged  with  us  by 
Mr.  Hartley  for  that  of  Congress  I  send  here- 
with a  copy  of  the  first  and  last  clauses. 

In  a  former  letter  I  mentioned  the  volunteer 
proceedings  of  a  merchant  at  Alicant,  towards 
obtaining  a  treaty  between  us  and  the  Emperor  of 
Morocco.  We  have  since  received  a  letter  from 
a  person  who  says,  as  you  will  see  by  the  copy,' 
enclosed,  that  he  is  sent  by  the  Emperor,  to  be 
the  bearer  of  his  answer  to  the  United  States,  and 
that  he  is  arrived  in  Spain  on  his  way  to  Paris. 
He  has  not  yet  appeared  here,  and  we  hardly 
know  what  answer  to  give  him.  I  hope  the  send- 
ing a  Minister  to  that  Court,  as  recommended  in 
my  last,  has  been  taken  into  consideration,  or  at 
least  that  some  instructions  respecting  that  nation 
have  been  sent  to  your  Minister  in  Spain,  who  is 
better  situated  than  we  are  for  such  a  negotiation. 

'^  OPTHF  ^ 


CXNIVEHSITYy 


388  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

The  Minister  from  Denmark  often  speaks  to  me 
about  the  proposed  treaty,  of  which  a  copy  went 
by  Mr.  Barney.  No  Commission  to  sign  it,  nor 
any  instructions  from  Congress  relating  to  it,  are 
yet  arrived ;  and,  though  pressed,  I  have  not  ven- 
tured to  do  anything  further  in  the  affair: 

I  forward  herewith  a  letter  to  the  Congress 
from  the  city  of  Hamburg.-^ 

I  understand  that  a  good  disposition  towards  us 
prevails  there  which  it  may  be  well  to  encourage. 

No  answer  has  yet  been  given  me  from  the 
Court  of  Portugal,  respecting  the  plan  of  a  treaty 
concerted  between  its  ambassador  here  and  me. 
He  has  been  unwell  and  much  in  the  country,  so 
that  I  have  not  seen  him  lately,  I  suspect  that 
the  false  or  exaggerated  reports  of  the  distracted 
situation  of  our  government,  industriously  propa- 
gated throughout  Europe  by  our  enemies,  have 
made  an  impression  in  that  kingdom  to  our  dis- 
advantage, and  inclined  them  to  hesitate  in  form- 
ing a  connection  with  us.  Questions  asked  me, 
and  observations  made  by  several  of  the  foreign 
ministers  here,  convince  me,  that  the  idle  stories 
of  our  disunion,  contempt  of  authority,  refusal  to 
pay  taxes,  &c ;  have  been  too  much  credited  and 
been  very  injurious  to  our  reputation. 

I  sent  before  a  copy  of  the  letter  I  wrote  to  the 
Grand  Master  of  Malta,  with  a  present  of  our 
medal,  with  this  you  will  have  a  copy  of  his  an- 
swer.    I  send  also  a  copy  of  a  note   I  received 

1  See  Diplomatic  Correspondeitce,  vol.  iv.  p.  ^Z. 


FRIENDLY   ACTION    OF    COUNT    DE  VERGENNES.    389 

from  the  Pope's  Nuncio.^  He  is  very  civil  on  all 
occasions,  and  has  mentioned  the  possibility  of 
an  advantageous  trade  America  might  have  with 
the  Ecclesiastical  States,  which  he  says  has  two 
good  ports,  Civita  Vecchia,  and . 

This  Court  continues  favorable  to  us.  Count 
de  Vergennes  was  resolute  in  refusing  to  sign  the 
definitive  treaty  with  England  before  ours  was 
signed.  The  English  Ministers  were  offended, 
but  complied.  I  am  convinced  that  Court  will 
never  cease  endeavoring  to  disunite  us.  We 
shall,  I  hope  be  constantly  on  our  guard  against 
these  machinations ;  for  our  safety  consists  in  a 
steady  adherence  to  our  friends,  and  our  reputa- 
tion in  a  faithful  regard  to  treaties,  and  in  a  grate- 
ful conduct  towards  our  benefactors. 

I  send  sundry  memorials  recommended  to  my 
care  by  Count  de  Vergennes,  viz.  one  respecting 
a  claim  of  Messieurs  Foster  of  Bordeaux,  one  of 
Mr.  Pequet  and  one  of  Mr.  Bayard.  The  Con- 
gress will  take  such  notice  of  them  as  they  shall 
think  proper.  With  great  esteem  and  respect  I 
have  the  honor  to  be  &:c 

B.  Franklin.^ 

HON.    JOHN    ADAMS    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY    ELIAS   BOUDI- 
NOT,    ESQ. 

Paris  Sept^  13th  1783. 

Sir, 

The  Dutch  Ambassador  has  just  now  sent  me 
a  copy  of  his  Treaty,  which  I  have  only  time  to 

1  Sparks'  Works  of  Franklin,  vol.  ix.  p.  548. 

2  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Franklin  papers, 
vol.  V.  p.  1 1 60. 


390  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

have  copied  and  inclosed  to  your  Excellency,  with 
my  dutiful  Respects  to  Congress. 

With  great  Respect,  I  have  the  honor  to  be 
Sir, 

Your  Excellency's  Most 

Obedient  &  Most  humble 
Servant 

His  Excellency,  JOHN  AdAMS. 

Elias  Boudinot,  Esq' 
President  of  Congress.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    THE    HONORABLE    ROBERT    R.    LIVING- 
STON. 

Princeton  Sept  16/  1783. 

Dear  Sir 

I  wrote  you  about  a  fortnight  past  which  I 
hope  has  got  safe  to  hand  —  Since  that  Time 
I  have  rec^  a  large  Pacquet  of  Letters  from  our 
Commissioners  in  Europe  all  of  a  public  Nature, 
except  one  from  young  Mr.  Franklin  which  he 
clearly  intended  as  Confidential,  and  altho'  the 
Contents  might  be  properly  Communicated  to 
Congress,  yet  I  did  not  think  myself  at  Liberty 
even  to  impart  the  Substance  to  any  person  what- 
ever without  your  approbation.  I  enclose  the 
Letter  with  the  Papers  contained  therein  that 
you  may  act  as  you  please  —  as  to  the  Commu- 
nication of  it —  I  take  the  opportunity  of  sending 
the  medal  —  I  have  twice  mentioned  to  you  —  I 
rec"^  with  the  Public  Letters  19  or  20  of  them 
which  I  distributed  among  the  States ;  we  have 

1  MSB.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  84,  vol.  v.  p.  201. 


TO    THE    HONORABLE    ROBERT    R.    LIVINGSTON.    39 1 

no  News  in  these  Dispatches  worth  Communicat- 
ing tho'  a  great  deal  of  matter  which  will  engage 
Congress  a  Considerable  Time  —  The  Definitive 
Treaty  was  not  signed  the  2d  Day  of  August,  nor 
likely  to  be  sooner  than  the  ist  of  Sep*  in  my 
opinion,  if  then  —  The  proceeding  of  our  people 
&  the  opening  of  the  Trade  with  England  are  the 
only  Causes  of  delay  —  our  Ministers  are  clear  of 
Opinion  &  say  it  was  so  understood  by  the  Nego- 
tiations that  Hostilities  could  cease  on  the  3 
March  —  Mr.  Jay  means  to  resign  in  the  spring 
Mr.  Dana  is  yet  at  Petersburgh  and  notwithstand- 
ing all  that  has  passed,  means  to  finish  the  Treaty 
before  he  returns  —  Our  affairs  go  on  badly  here 
— -  No  Minister  of  Foreign  Affairs  —  at  a  distance 
from  our  officers  Members  Grumbling  &  Dissat- 
isfied at  our  remaining  in  this  Place  —  No  great 
appetite  for  Business  —  so  that  we  are  not  in  so 
comfortable  a  state  as  I  could  wish  —  I  take  the 
Liberty  to  enclose  a  Letter  for  Mr  Morris  rec'^  by 
Cap*  Barney,  which  I  must  beg  you  will  be  kind 
enough  to  forward  as  I  know  not  where  to  direct 
to  him  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c. 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

The  Honble.  Rob'  Livingston,  Esq. 

MR.  BOUDINOT  TO  GENERAL  WASHINGTON. 

Princeton  Sepf  17th  1783. 

Sir/ 

Every  publick  acknowledgment  of  the  essential 
Services  rendered  our  common  Country  by  your 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


392  ELIAS     BOUDINOT. 

Excellency  during  a  doubtful  War,  has  given  me 
the  most  sensible  Pleasure,  and  it  has  been  among 
the  gratifications  of  my  Office,  that  its  duties  have 
priviledged  my  transmitting,  the  constant  sense 
Congress  have  maintained  of  your  Excellency's 
great  merit  &  good  Conduct. 

I  have  now  the  additional  satisfaction  of  en- 
closing an  Act  of  Congress,  by  which  their  high 
Confidence,  placed  in  your  Excellency's  wisdom 
and  Judgment  since  the  War  has  ceased,  very 
Manifestly  Appears  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  every  Sentiment  of 
respect  &  Esteem 

Your  Excellency's 

Most  Obedt  &  very  Hble  Serv* 

Elias  Boudinot. 

His  Excellency  Gen'  Washington. 

(Endorsed) 
Princeton  17th  Sept'  1783, 
from  Boudinot,  the  President  of  Congress    • 
enclosing  a  Resolve  for  admission  to  the  secret 
papers  of  Congress.^ 

BY    THE    UNITED    STATES    IN    CONGRESS    ASSEMBLED 
A    PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  in  pursuance  of  a  plenipotentiary 
commission,  given  on  the  28th  day  of  September, 
1782,  to  the  Hon  Benjamin  Franklin,  a  treaty  of 
amity  and  commerce  between  his  majesty  the 
King    of    Sweden    and    the     United    States   of 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Letters  to 
Washington,  vol.  Ixiv.  p.  177. 


A    PROCLAMATION.  393 

America,  was  on  the  3d  day  of  April,  1783,  con- 
cluded by  the  said  Benjamin  Franklin,%^with  a 
minister  plenipotentiary,  named  for  that  purpose, 
by  the  said  King ;  and  Whereas  the  said  treaty 
hath  been  duly  approved  and  ratified  by  the 
United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  and  a  trans- 
lation thereof  made  in  the  words  following,  to 
wit  (See  Treaty,"  page  241.) 

Now  therefore,  to  the  end,  that  the  said  treaty 
may  with  all  good  faith  be  performed  and  ob- 
served on  the  part  of  these  states ;  all  the  citizens 
and  inhabitants  thereof,  and  more  especially  all 
officers  and  others  in  the  service  of  the  United 
States,  are  hereby  enjoined  and  required  to  gov- 
ern themselves  strictly  in  all  things  according  to 
the  stipulations  above  recited. 

Done  in  Congress,  at  Princeton,  this  25th  day 
of  September,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1783,  and 
of  our  Sovereignty  and  independence  the  eighth. 
Elias  Boudinot,  President.^ 
Charles  Thomson,  Secretary. 

MR.   BOUDINOT    TO    HONORABLE    ROBERT    R.    LIVINGSTON. 

Princeton  Sep*  27"  1783 

Dr  Sir 

Your  polite  favour  of  the  12th  inst.  reached  me 
a  few  days  since  —  The  Conduct  of  your  People 
not  only  give  me  great  Pain,  but  threaten  greatly 
to  involve  us  in  another  War ;  indeed  my  Dr  Sir 
I  am  suspicious  our  Troubles  are  not  yet  at  an 
end,  the  Prediction  of  our  Enemies  I  am  afraid 

1  Journal  of  Congress,  edition  of  1800,  vol.  viii.  p.  279. 


394  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

will  be  too  suddenly  verified,  neither  our  Legisla- 
tures nor  People  at  Large  are  acting  with  Pru- 
dence—  The  Storm  is  gathering  —  I  dread  the 
explosion  —  nothing  but  wisdom  &  firmness  & 
v/  temperate  Councils  will  prevent  the  impending 
Blow. 

It  is  true  your  Judges  have  not  been  ofiicially 
informed  of  the  preliminary  art''^^  and  tho'  it  has 
frequently  been  insisted  on  in  Congress,  yet  the 
partial  Circumstances  of  your  State  being  prac- 
tically yet  in  the  hands  of  the  British  prevent  the 
Measure  and  the  whole  union  is  suffering  a  par- 
tial Evil  for  the  good  of  your  State,  and  yet  you 
are  preventing  every  measure  we  can  take  for  the 
general  good  because  we  will  not  sacrifice  your 
state  for  the  common  benefit  —  your  Judges  know 
the  preliminary  articles  as  well  as  ever  they  will 
&  altho'  as  Lawyers  they  cannot  regard  them,  yet 
surely  in  every  point  of  view  they  would  be  justi- 
fied in  not  doing  any  thing  in  opposition  to  them, 
when  Nothing  is  necessary  to  Accomplish  this 
end  but  delay —  However  they  must  &  will  judge 
for  themselves  but  they  will  most  certainly  repent 
it  at  all  events  —  Our  Last  Letter  from  Mr  L.  was 
dated  the  3  Aug^  and  from  the  whole  of  his  In- 
telligence, I  believe  that  the  Preliminary  Articles 
in  per  Verba,  form  the  Definitive  Treaty,  at  last 
—  The  English  Ministry  press  for  a  resident  at 
S^  James  from  America  —  I  wrote  you  lately  pr 
Post  &  enclosed  a  medal  Rec"^  from  Dr  Franklin 
I  add  another  herein —  together  with  a  Letter  for 


COPY  OF  TREATY  SENT.  395 

Mr  Montgomery  enclosed  to  me  from  Amster- 
dam—  Nothing  further  done  with  regard  to  your 
late  office  —  Your  affair  has  been  mentioned  &  I 
hope  to  get  it  determined  next  week  —  I  .  am 
much  obliged  by  your  kind  assurance  relative  to 
my  unhappy  sister  —  Mrs.  B.  joins  me  in  the 
kindest  wishes  for  Mrs.  Livingston  &  your  hap- 
piness 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

Rob''  R.  Livingston. 

HONORABLE    BENJAMIN    FRANKLIN    TO    HIS    EXCELLENCY 
ELIAS    BOUDINOT,    ESQ. 

Passy  27  September  1783. 

Sir:  — 

Mr.  Thaxter,  late  Secretary  of  Mr.  Adams,  who 
is  charged  with  all  our  dispatches,  that  were  in- 
tended to  go  by  the  French  packet  boat,  writes 
from  L'Orient,  that,  though  he  arrived  there  two 
days  before  the  time  appointed  for  her  sailing,  he 
missed  reaching  her  by  four  hours ;  but  another 
light  vessel  was  fitting,  and  would  sail  the  21st. 
instant,  in  which  he  hoped  to  arrive  at  New  York 
nearly  as  soon  as  the  packet.^  We  shall  send 
duplicates  by  the  next  from  hence. 

In  the  mean  time  I  enclose  a  printed  copy  of 
the  definitive  Treaty,  which  I  hear  is  ratified. 
Indeed,  we  have  the  ratification  of  the  prelimi- 
naries. Mr.  Hartley,  when  he  left  us,  expected 
to  return  in  three  weeks,  in  order  to  proceed  with 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 

2  Owing  to  the  contrary  winds  the  packet  put  back  and  Mr.  Thaxter 
sailed  in  her  on  the  26th. 


396  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

US  in  forming  a  treaty  of  commerce.     The  new 

commission,  that  was  intended  for  us,  is  not  yet 

come  to  hand.     With  great  respect,  I  have  the 

honor  to  be,  Sir,  &c. 

B.  Franklin.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    PHILOSOPHICAL    SOCIETY. 

Princeton  Oct  ist  1783 

Sir 

Permit  me  to  ask  the  attention  of  your  Hon- 
orable Society  to  an  Extract  of  a  Letter  I  rec^ 
lately  from  the  Honble.  Wm.  Carmichael  Secre- 
tary to  the  Legation  from  these  States  at  the 
Court  of  Spain 

Madrid  13  March  1783 

Since  my  residence  in  this  Capitol,  I  have 
written  several  long  Letter  to  the  Phil-society  in 
which  among  other  things  I  recommended  to  its 
attention,  the  nomination  of  Persons  in  this  coun- 
try as  honary  members.  I  know  not  whether 
these  letters  ever  came  to  hand,  for  which  reason 
permit  me  to  suggest  to  you  whether  the  nomina- 
tion of  the  most  distinguished  literary  Characters 
in  the  different  Countries  of  Europe  might  not 
be  useful  —  The  suffrage  of  the  republic  of  Let- 
ters contributed  to  give  us  a  Celebrity  during  the 
War,  and  this  union  formed  with  its  Chiefs  in 
various  Countries  will  secure  useful  connections 
to  our  Minister,  as  well  as  to  the  American  youths 
who    may  travel   for    Instruction  —  Should    this 

1  See  Franklin's  letter  to  the  president  of  Congress  of  November  i,  in 
Sparks'  Works  of  Franklin. 


PHILOSOPHICAL   SOCIETY.  397 

Idea  meet  your  approbation  I  would  take  the 
liberty  of  recommending  the  Count  de  Campo- 
manes,  Fiscal  of  the  council  of  Castile  —  Dr 
Gasper  Jove  Lanosabbe  Guavia,  Secretary  of 
Academy  of  History  &c  &c. 

As  I  have  no  doubt  of  the  attachment  of  your 
Society  to  the  Interests  of  America,  and  their  real 
desire  of  aiding  in  every  thing  that  will  advance 
her  Reputation  &  dignity  I  shall  make  no  apol- 
ogy for  the  Liberty  I  have  taken  in  thus  laying 
before  you  an  application  that  may  possibly  ben- 
efit our  Common  Country  — 

If  you  should  think  proper  to  take  any  resolu- 
tions in  Consequence  of  this  information,  I  shall 
forward  the  result  to  our  Minister  at  the  Court 
of  Spain  with  great  pleasure  — 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  every  sentiment  of 
respect  &  the  most  earnest  wishes  for  increase 
of  experimental  knowledge  and  the  prosperity  of 
your  most  useful  &  honorable  society, 

Your  most  obdt  &  very  Hble  Servt 

E.  Boudinot/ 

To  the  President  or  vice  President 
Philosophical  society  in  Philadelphia. 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    GENERAL    CARLETON. 

P.  Town,  Oct  i=*  1783    ' 

Sir 

Will  your  Excellency  excuse  me  for  calling 
your  attention  one  moment  from  more  important 

^  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


39^  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

Business  to  a  request  in  favor  of  a  widow  &  num- 
ber of  children 

The  principles  of  Humanity  &  Benevolence  I 
am  sure  will  fully  apologize  to  your  Excell^  for 
this  Liberty.  My  Brother  in  Law  the  Late 
Honble.  Rich'^  Stockton  Esq.  who  Lived  in  this 
Town  in  the  years  1776-7  had  the  misfortune  to 
have  his  whole  personal  estate  seized  here  by  the 
british  Troops  under  the  Command  (I  think)  of 
the  present  Lord  Harcourt — His  Title  Deeds  — 
Bonds  Acct  Books,  and  other  Papers  therewith, 
personal  Property  to  the  Amount  four  or  five 
Thousand  Pounds  were  taken  away —  The  Deeds 
Bonds  Acc^  Books  &  papers  w^ould  be  a  great 
acquisition  to  the  Widow  &  Children  if  they 
could  be  possibly  obtained,  and  they  cannot  be  of 
the  least  use  to  any  other  person.  Shall  I  beg 
the  favour  of  your  Excell^  to  give  orders  &  for  an 
Inquiry  to  be  made  if  any  of  these  Articles  could 
be  found  by  any  of  the  officers  under  your  Direc- 
tion to  have  them  transmitted  to  me  I  hope 
your  Excely  will  excuse  the  trouble  I  give  &  the 
Liberty  I  take  on  this  occasion  — 
I  have  the  honor  &c. 

Elias  Boudinot.^ 

For  Gen'  Carleton. 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


CHAPTER   XXI. 

Mr.  Boudinot  to  His  Excellency  P.  J.  Van  Berckel,  minister  from  the 
Netherlands ;  his  arrival  subject  of  congratulation ;  Mr.  Boudinot's 
steward  to  furnish  every  accommodation  ;  Congress  immediately  in- 
formed of  his  arrival ;  to  appoint  day  for  audience.  —  Mr.  Boudinot 
to  Hon.  Robert  Morris,  regarding  audience.  —  To  Colonel  Frelinghuy- 
sen  for  same  purpose.  —  To  General  Dickerson  for  escort  of  troop.  — 
In  Congress.  —  Speech  of  minister.  —  Letter  from  their  High  Mighti- 
nesses.—  The  President,  Mr.  Boudinot,  replies  to  Mr.  Van  Berckel. — 
Mr.  Boudinot  to  commissioners.  —  Recapitulation  from  last  letter;  seat 
of  government ;  Treaty ;  Baron  Steuben  sent  to  Canada ;  regarding 
fortifications  ;  arrival  of  minister  from  Holland ;  effects  of  mutiny  ;  hav- 
ing seen  peace  established  and  signed  both  preliminary  articles  and 
definitive  treaty,  happy  to  retire  to  private  life ;  Mr.  Mifflin  elected  to 
fill  the  chair.  —  Proclamations.  —  Cessations  of  hostilities.  —  Contract 
with  His  Christian  Majesty.  —  Thanking  the  army.  —  Mr.  Boudinot  to 
Hon.  Andrew  Elliot,  offering  services  and  acknowledging  his  benevolence 
and  liberality  to  captives. 

Amid  the  various  pressing  and  Important  mat- 
ters which  called  for  attention  Mr.  Boudinot  was 
obliged  to  arrange  the  details  for  a  ceremonious 
reception  of  the  Minister  from  the  Netherlands. 

We  learn  from  these  letters  that,  owing  to  some 
mishap,  His  Excellency  was  none  too  well  pleased 
on  his  disembarking,  and  Mr.  Boudinot  strives  to 
make  amends  and  to  dispel  the  lltde  cloud  on  the 
diplomatic  horizon.  Affairs  were  in  some  confu- 
sion, owing  to  the  removal  of  Congress  from  Phil- 
adelphia to  Princeton.  He  sends,  however,  in 
every  direction  for  the  proper  persons  to  do  honor 
to  the    occasion :    to    General    Dickerson,   for   a 


400  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

troop  of  horse  as  an  escort;  to  Colonel  Freling- 
huysen,  begging  him  to  come  prepared  to  read 
His  Excellency's  credentials  in  Low  Dutch ;  and 
urges  the  presence  of  such  other  military  officers 
and  officers  of  state  as  may  be  available. 

No  doubt  this  important  event  was  one  also  of 
great  local  interest,  and  must  have  been  the  means 
of  calling  together  many  of  Jersey's  noted  ones. 
We  can  imagine  our  worthy  ancestors  relaxing 
from  the  strain  of  war,  assembling  in  the  college 
hall  at  Princeton  indulging  in  hearty  congratula- 
tions and  in  hospitable  invitations.  The  picture 
must  have  been  an  imposing  one :  here  were  con- 
gregated many  of  the  most  distinguished  men  of 
the  Revolution  to  receive  the  first  foreign  ambassa- 
dor who  came  to  us  now  an  acknowledged  nation. 

mr.  boudinot  to  his  excellency  p.j.  van  berckel. 

His  Excellency 

P.  J.  Van  Berckel,  Esq. 

Minister    Plenipotentiary    from    their    High 
Mightinesses   The    States   General  of  the 
United  Netherlands. 

Princeton  24"  October  1783. 

Sir 

It  was  not  till  this  evening  that  I  had  the  honor 
of  your  Excellency's  letter  of  the  19"  inst.  by 
which  I  have  the  happiness  of  being  informed  of 
your  safe  arrival  after  a  very  tedious  passage. 

Permit  me,  most  sincerely  to  congratulate  your 
Excellency  on  this  happy  event,  big  with  the  best 
consequences  to  both  our  nations 


THE    MINISTER   FROM    HOLLAND.  4OI 

As  soon  as  your  arrival  was  but  rumored  here, 
my  Steward  was  ordered  to  do  every  thing  in  his 
power,  to  .  furnish  you  with  my  house  and  any 
thing  he  had  in  his  power  for  your  accommodation. 
I  hope  he  has  fulfilled  my  expectations. 

This  will  be  handed  to  you  by  Mr.  Sterett,  my 
Secretary,  who  is  sent  for  this  purpose  that  you 
may  be  informed  of  my  being  honored  with  your 
favour. 

Congress  will  sit  tomorrow,  when  I  shall  an- 
nounce to  them  the  news  of  your  Excellency's 
arrival,  which,  I  am  assured,  will  give  them  very 
great  pleasure.  Their  determination  on  the  sub- 
ject of  your  audience  shall  be  transmitted  without 
delay. 

My  Secretary  will  proffer  you  every  service  in 
his  power,  and  at  the  same  time  personally  assure 
your  Excellency  of  my  joy  on  your  safe  arrival  and 
the  pleasure  I  shall  take  in  making  your  residence 
with  us  as  agreeable  as  this  Infant  Country  will 
admit. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  &c 

E.  B.^ 

MR.    BOUDINOT   TO    HON.    ROBERT    MORRIS. 

The  Honorable  Robert  Morris,  Esq. 

Princeton,  25"  October  1783. 

Sir 

A  public  audience  being  determined  for  the 
Honorable    The    Minister    Plenipotentiary  from 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  15,  p.  252. 


402  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

their  High  Mightinesses,  The  States  General 
of  the  United  Netherlands  on  Thursday  next,  I 
take  the  earliest  opportunity  of  enclosing  you  the 
act  of  Congress  for  this  purpose  by  which  you  will 
see  that  you  have  an  important  part  in  the  cere- 
mony assigned  to  you  by  Congress.  Our  pecu- 
liar circumstances  made  this  necessary.  The  Sec- 
retary at  War  is  absent  but  I  shall  send  an 
express  for  him,  and  expect  he  will  be  here  on 
Monday,  so  that  you  will  be  so  kind  as  to  execute 
whatever  is  to  be  done  in  the  City,  and  Genl 
Lincoln,  I  doubt  not  will  do  his  part  here  till  your 
arrival. 

E.  B. 
Note.     A  letter,  containing  the  same  informa- 
tion as  the  above,  was  dispatched  to  the  honorable 
Major  General  Lincoln.^ 

mr.  boudinot  to  colonel  frederick  frelinghuysen. 
Colo.  Frederick  Frelinghuysen, 

Princeton  29"  October  1783 

The  Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  the  United 
Netherlands  is  arrived,  and  is  to  have  his  public 
audience  at  this  place  on  Friday  next  at  noon. 
His  credentials  are  in  low  Dutch,  and  it  is  neces- 
sary that  we  have  a  proper  person  to  read  them 
over  in  that  language,  in  public  at  the  Audience, 
before  a  translation  is  read. 

Congress  have  directed  me  to  ask  that  favour 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  W^ashington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  255. 


TO    GENERAL    PHILEMON    DICKINSON.  403 

of  you  as  the  most  proper  person  we  can  think  of. 
Shall  I  beg  a  compHance  with  this  request  ?  Be 
so  good  as  to  let  me  have  a  line  by  the  bearer, 
who  is  sent  Express  for  this  purpose.  If  any 
accident  should  prevent  your  being  here  early  on 
Friday  morning,  be  so  good  as  to  recommend 
some  proper  person  on  this  occasion,  lest  we 
should  be  disappointed  on  that  important  event. 

I  enclose  a  copy  of  the  Credentials,  that  you 
may  prepare  a  translation  at  leisure. 

Yours  &c. 
E.  B} 

MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    GENERAL    PHILEMON    DICKINSON. 

(Private) 

P.  T  Oct.  29—1783 

Dear  Sir, 

Congress  have  agreed  to  give  the  Minister 
plen°  from  the  United  Netherlands,  his  public 
audience  on  Friday  next  at  noon.  He  is  to  pass 
through  Trenton  tomorrow  noon  —  As  he  has 
been  rather  disgusted  with  his  reception  at  his 
first  landing,  I  wish  to  pay  him  every  proper 
mark  of  respect,  at  his  entering  into  this  State. 
Could  you  not  get  the  Troop  of  Horse  in  your 
Neiorhborhood  to  turn  out  &  escort  him  from  the 
Ferry  thro'  the  Town  —  It  would  give  reputation 
to  the  character  of  our  State  abroad  and  it  would 
be  increasinor  ...  of  the  business  if  the  Gent"  of 
Trenton  were  to  wait  on  him,  as  he  passed  thro, 
the  Town. 

1  MSS.  Archives,  Department  of  State,  Washington,  D.  C,  Papers  of 
the  Continental  Congress,  No.  16,  p.  260. 


404  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

I  thought  it  my  duty  as  a  Citizen  of  Jersey  to 
give  you  these  few  hints  which  you  can  improve 
as  you  think  proper. 

Suffer  me  to  congratulate  you  on  the  pubHc 
Honor  paid  you  by  your  country — Mrs  B.  & 
Miss  Susan  join  me  in  best  compHments  to  Mrs 
Dickinson 

I  have  the  honor  to  be 

E.  B} 

The  Hon^i«  Genl  Dickinson. 

From  "Journal  of  Congress,"  Friday,  October 
31,  1783,  is  the  following:  — 

"  According  to  order,  the  Hon.  P.  J.  Van 
Berckel,  Minister  Plenipotentiary  from  their  high 
Mightinesses  the  States  General  of  the  United 
Netherlands,  was  admitted  to  an  audience.  And 
upon  being  introduced,  he  addressed  Congress  in 
a  speech,  of  which  the  following  is  a  translation : 

"  Gentlemen  of  the  Congress  :  Previous  to 
My  laying  before  you  the  Commission  with  which 
their  high  Mightinesses  the  States  General  of  the 
United  Netherlands  have  honored  me,  permit  me 
to  express  the  joy  I  feel  on  finding  Myself  this 
day  in  this  Assembly,  and  meeting  those  illustri- 
ous men  whom  the  present  Age  admires,  and 
whom  posterity  will  always  point  to  as  Models  of 
patriotism,  and  whose  merits  eternity  itself  can 
alone  recompense. 

"While  all  Europe  kept  its  eyes  fixed  on  your 
exploits,  their  high  Mightinesses  could  not  refrain 

1  Pennsylvania  Historical  Society. 


SPEECH  OF  MR.  VAN  BERCKEL.       405 

from  very  seriously  interesting  themselves  therein, 
recollecting  as  they  always  did  the  dangers  and 
difficulties  to  which  their  fore-fathers  were  sub- 
jected, before  they  could  free  themselves  from 
the  yoke  in  which  they  were  enthralled.  They 
knew  better  than  any  other  the  worth  of  indepen- 
dence, and  they  knew  how  to  set  a  just  value  on 
the  greatness  of  your  designs.  They  applauded 
your  generous  enterprise,  which  w^as  inspired  by 
a  love  of  your  country,  conducted  with  prudence 
and  supported  with  heroic  courage,  and  they  re- 
joiced at  the  happy  success  which  crowned  your 
labors. 

"  In  order  to  convince  you  of  their  affection, 
and  the  part  they  take  in  whatever  regards  your 
republic.  My  Masters  have  charged  me  to  congrat- 
ulate you  on  the  accomplishment  of  your  desire, 
which  had  for  its  object  the  power  of  your  own 
absolute  will,  and  the  enjoyment  of  that  inestima- 
ble and  natural  treasure  which  places  you  in  the 
rank  of  sovereign  and  independent  powers. 

"  How  flattering  is  it  to  me  to  find  myself  this 
day  the  organ  and  interpreter  of  the  sentiments 
and  dispositions  of  My  Masters,  and  to  have  it  in 
my  power  to  assure  you,  on  their  behalf,  that  there 
is  nothing  which  they  more  ardently  wish  than 
the  happiness  of  your  republic  and  the  establish- 
ment of  the  union  of  your  States.  May  this 
Union,  founded  on  the  principles  of  true  patriot- 
ism and  a  love  for  the  public  good,  be  cemented 
in  such  a  manner,  that  neither  false  Ambition, 


406  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

jealousy,  or  private  interest,  may  ever  be  able  to 
do  it  the  least  injury.  May  the  administration  of 
a  wise  and  prudent  government,  dispense  happi- 
ness and  plenty  among  the  people  and  give  them 
a  glory  extending  from  pole  to  pole,  and  as  last- 
ing as  ages. 

"  Gentlemen,  Their  high  Mightinesses  are  not 
content  with  sending  Compliments  of  congratula- 
tion, which  are  in  themselves  unfruitful,  but  being 
convinced  that  an  intercourse  of  Commerce  and 
Mutual  good  will,  are  the  surest  means  of  binding 
closer  those  Sacred  bonds  of  friendship,  which  al- 
ready unite  you  together ;  they  have  commanded 
me  to  assure  you,  that  they  have  nothing  nearer 
at  heart  than  to  labour  effectually  to  render  this 
friendship  fruitful  and  profitable  and  to  contribute 
as  far  as  possible  to  the  aggrandizement  of  an 
ally,  from  whom  they  promise  themselves  the 
same  efforts.  This  is  a  sketch,  but  a  very  feeble 
and  imperfect  sketch  of  the  Sentiments  of  My 
Masters,  whose  Sincerity  Surpasses  expression, 
but  which  is  however  manifested  in  the  letter 
which  I  shall  have  the  honor  to  deliver  you. 
This,  gentlemen,  is  the  purpose  of  the  Mission 
with  which  they  have  honored  me.  May  it  be  in 
my  power  worthily  to  answer  their  expectation, 
and  at  the  same  time  to  gain  your  affection  and 
confidence,  which  are  so  necessary  for  the  Success 
of  my  undertaking.  As  to  Myself,  without  guile 
and  without  artifice,  I  shall  always  conduct  myself 
with  that  rectitude,  candor,  and  cordiality,  which 


LETTER   FROM    THEIR    HIGH    MIGHTINESSES.    407 

form  the  distinguishing  character  of  a  true  repub- 
lican, and  which  is  at  the  same  time  the  best 
security  for  My  attaining  the  point  of  My  Ambi- 
tion, which  is  that  of  gaining  the  Approbation  of 
Congress,  the  friendship  of  its  Members,  and  the 
esteem  of  the  United  States  of  America. 

"  He  then  deHvered  the  letter  from  their  high 
Mightinesses  the  States  General  of  which  the  fol- 
lowing is  a  translation  :  — 

"  To  THE    United   States  of  America  in  Con- 
gress Assembled. 

"  Our  Friends  and  Allies,  With  very  great  satis- 
faction did  we,  by  the  reception  of  the  honorable 
Mr.  Adams,  your  Minister  with  our  State,  ac- 
knowledge the  independence  of  your  Republic, 
and  with  equal  and  much  greater  delight  have  we 
received  the  pleasing  tidings  of  the  conclusion  of 
the  preliminary  articles  of  peace,  by  which  the 
Court  of  Great  Britain  has  declared  you  free 
and  independent  states.  We  have  long  ardently 
wished  for  this  happy  period,  having  for  several 
years  past,  with  sorrow  seen  the  troubles  and 
difficulties  with  which  you  were  obliged  to  strug- 
gle. And  we  do  most  cordially  congratulate  you 
on  this  happy  event,  sincerely  taking  a  share  in 
your  present  agreeable  situation. 

"  To  give  a  testimony  of  our  sentiments  in  this 
respect,  and  to  convince  you  of  our  unfeigned 
esteem,  we  have  thought  it  proper  to  send  to  you 
an  envoy  extraordinary;  we  have  for  that  pur- 
pose chosen  a  gentleman  of  distinction,  w^hose 


408  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

personal  qualifications  are  in  great  repute  among 
us;  the  honorable  Mr.  Peter  John  Van  Berckel, 
burgo-Master  of  the  City  of  Rotterdam,  and  a 
deputy  in  our  Assembly.  We  hope  and  trust 
that  you  will  graciously  receive  this  gentleman  in 
quality  of  our  Minister  plenipotentiary,  and  when 
he  shall  have  the  honor  to  deliver  you  these  pre- 
sents, and  to  enter  into  further  negotiations  with 
you,  that  you  will  give  full  faith  unto  him  as  unto 
ourselves,  being  assured  that  he  will  not  be  able 
to  express  in  terms  too  strong  the  Sentiments  of 
esteem  and  reverence  which  we  have  for  a  long 
time  possessed  for  that  wisdom,  courage  and  per- 
severence  by  which  you  have  rendered  yourselves 
famous  throughout  the  world. 

"  May  God  grant  that  your  rising  republic  may 
become  more  and  more  prosperous ;  that  it  may 
increase  in  lustre  and  glory,  and  subsist  to  the 
end  of  time. 

"  We  shall  at  all  times  rejoice  in  your  increas- 
ing felicity;  and  we  desire  nothing  more  ardently 
than  that  we  may  maintain  the  strictest  friendship 
and  correspondence  with  you,  for  the  good  of  the 
subjects  and  inhabitants  of  both  countries. 

"  This  letter  being  read,  the  president  M'  Bou- 
dinot  returned  the  following  answer  to  the  Min- 
ister: 

"  Sir  :  In  a  contest  for  the  rights  of  human  na- 
ture, the  citizens  of  the  United  States  of  America, 
could  not  but  be  impressed  with  the  glorious  ex- 
ample of  those  illustrious  patriots,  who,  triumph- 


SBSITYy 
MR.    BOUDINOT's    reply   TO   THE   MINISTER.        409 

ing  over  every  difficulty  and  danger,  established 
the  liberties  of  the  United  Netherlands  on  the 
most  honorable  and  permanent  basis.  Congress, 
at  an  early  period  of  the  war  sought  the  friend- 
ship of  their  high  Mightinesses;  convinced  that 
the  same  inviolable  regard  for  liberty,  and  the 
same  wisdom,  justice  and  magnanimity  which  led 
their  forefathers  to  glory,  was  handed  down  unim- 
paired to  their  posterity ;  and  our  satisfaction  was 
great  in  accomplishing  with  them  a  treaty  of 
Amity  and  Commerce  on  terms,  so  acceptable  to 
both  nations. 

"  With  the  sincerest  pleasure,  Sir,  we  receive  the 
honorable  testimonials  of  Confidence  and  esteem 
of  their  high  Mightinesses,  and  their  affectionate 
congratulations  on  the  success  of  our  efforts  in 
the  sacred  cause  of  liberty. 

"  We  d.ssure  you.  Sir,  that  it  is  our  earnest  de- 
sire, to  unite  with  their  hiorh  Mis^htinesses  in 
every  Measure  which  can  promote  the  Most  un- 
reserved Confidence,  and  the  most  friendly  inter- 
course between  two  nations,  which  have  vindi- 
cated their  freedom  amidst  the  most  trying  scenes 
of  danger  and  distress,  and  have  been  equally 
blessed  by  the  gracious  interposition  of  Divine 
Providence,  with  that  Sovereignty  and  indepen- 
dence so  essential  to  their  safety  and  happiness. 

"  Governed  by  the  same  ardent  love  of  Free- 
dom, and  the  same  Maxims  of  policy,  cemented  by 
a  liberal  system  of  Commerce,  and  earnestly  dis- 
posed to  advance  our  mutual   prosperity,  by  a 


4IO  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

reciprocity  of  good  offices ;  we  persuade  our- 
selves that  the  most  friendly  and  beneficial  con- 
nexion between  the  two  republics  will  be  pre- 
served inviolate  to  the  latest  ages. 

"  It  adds,  Sir,  greatly  to  our  pleasure  on  this 
interesting  occasion,  that  their  high  Mightinesses 
have  employed  as  their  Minister,  a  gentleman  so 
highly  celebrated  for  rectitude  and  patriotism  and 
from  whose  illustrious  family  these  United  States 
have  received  the  Most  distinguished  proofs  of 
regard  and  friendship."  ^ 


FROM    MR.    BOUDINOT    TO    THE    COMMISSIONERS. 

Princetown  Oct.  a;**"  1783 

To  The  Hon^le  Commissioners 

Gentlemen 

Previous  to  my  leaving  the  Chair  of  Congress, 
I  take  the  liberty  again  to  address  you,  merely  as 
an  individual  that  you  may  not  be  left  totally 
without  Information  until  the  Choice  of  a  Minis- 
ter for  foreign  Affairs  shall  take  place.  I  have 
pressed  Congress  much  on  this  subject,  and  am 
fully  convinced  of  the  difficult  Situation  you  must 
be  in  for  want  of  Information  from  this  important 
Office  —  I  have  the  honor  of  acknowledging  the 

rec^  of  your  several  favours  of  the  My  last 

addressed  to  you,  was  on  the  15'^  of  July  giving 
you  a  minute  account  of  the  Mutiny  of  the  Soldiers 

1  From  Journals  of  Congress,  from  April  i,  1782,10  November  i,  1788, 
inclusive,  vol.  iv.  pp.  309,  310,  311. 


LETTER    TO    COMMISSIONERS.  4 II 

in  Philadelphia  and  of  our  subsequent  removal 
to  this  Place  —  since  which  we  have  remained 
here  tho.  in  but  indifferent  Circumstances  of  ac- 
commodation —  Congress  lately  have  determined 
to  fix  their  place  of  Residence  at  the  Head  of  the 
Delaware  over  the  Falls  of  Trenton  —  They  take 
in  contemplation  to  fix  another  place  the  Falls  of 
Potomack  near  Georgetown  and  to  sit  alternately 
at  each  Place  year  about  —  They  have  also  deter- 
mined to  adjourn  on  the  8^^'  Nov'"  to  Annapolis  for 
their  temporary  residence —  They  have  also  passed 
several  important  Acts  lately,  which  you  will  see  by 
the  several  Proclamations  contained  in  the  News- 
papers which  I  do  myself  the  honor  of  transmit- 
ting herewith   from  the   month   of  Sep*    2"^  

Congress  have  not  yet  taken  the  Appointment  of 
a  minister  for  foreign  Affairs  under  Consideration, 
as  their  Time  is  principally  taken  up  with  previous 
measures  of  a  Peace  arrangement  both  Civil  & 
Military —  It  will  now  be  put  off  till  the  removal 
to  Annapolis^  I  shall  add  to  this  Letter  (I  be- 
lieve) several  Acts  of  Congress  In  consequence 
of  a  Report  on  your  last  Official  Letter  we  have 
been  most  Anxiously  (looking  (?))  for  the  Defini- 
tive Treaty  which  is  really  a  matter  of  much  more 
importance  in  this  Country  than  it  is  in  Europe 
—  The  States  at  best  cannot  be  convinced  that 
Peace  is  made  to  any  Purpose  without  this  wel- 
come Act,  and  the  Conduct  of  the  British  in  these 
States  has  confirmed  them  in  the  Opinion  —  We 
lately  sent   Baron   Steuben  to  Canada  to  settle 


412  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

with  Gen^  Waldenson  the  Time  and  manner  of 
delivering  up  &  receiving  the  Posts  and  fortifi- 
cations on  the  Frontiers  whenever  .that  Gen^  should 
be  ready  so  to  do  —  He  was  refused  even  a  confer- 
ence on  the  subject  —  Gen^  Waldenson  declaring 
that  he  knew  of  no  Peace  between  Britain  and 
America,  that  his  orders  were  to  cease  Hostilities 
which  he  had  carefully  done  but  could  go  no 
further  —  The  Baron  thinks  they  are  planning 
their  schemes  in  Canada  for  holding  the  Frontier 
Posts  for  a  year  or  two  longer  which  would  prove 
ruinous  to  these  States  rendition  of  them  must  be 
urged  without  delay.  The  Minister  from  Hol- 
land is  arrived  and  to  receive  his  public  Audience 
on  Friday  next. 

The  Effects  of  the  Mutiny  in  Philadelphia  are 
all  done  away  —  The  Sergeants  who  were  con- 
demned to  die,  rec'^  Pardon  from  Congress  in  the 
very  last  moment  of  despair  this  has  had  a  good 
Effect  and  the  Army  have  been  disbanded  without 
any  bad  consequences  but  unhappily  without 
Money. 

Nov.  I'*  —  Yesterday  we  gave  public  audience 
to  M''  Van  Berckel  —  Just  before  the  Ceremony 
began  Col  Ogden  arrived  with  the  News  of  the 
completion  of  the  Definitive  Treaty,  this  gave  a 
large  addition  to  the  general  Joy  that  was  already 
great  on  the  occasion  of  the  Day  —  M'  Van 
Berckel  appears  to  be  a  person  very  much  suited 
to  the  Manners  of  our  People  and  I  am  very 
much  mistaken  if  he  does  not  do  great  honor  to 


TO   HONORABLE   ANDREW   ELLIOT.  413 

his  Commission  —  I  shall  endeavour  to  enclose  his 
address  and  our  answer  —  Nov""  3"^  —  This  Morn- 
ing Congress  met  &  made  choice  of  a  new  Pres- 
ident for  the  ensuing  Year  General  Mifflin  was 
unanimously  chosen,  tho'  absent  I  suppose  he  will 
take  the  Chair  in  a  day  or  two  —  I  feel  myself 
very  happy  in  having  filled  up  my  year  and  that 
after  having  devoted  myself  altogether  to  the 
Public  Service  for  near  eight  years,  I  am  like  to 
retire  to  private  Life  under  the  blessings  of  so 
glorious  a  Peace  —  My  Presidentship  has  also 
been  honored  by  the  Signature  of  both  Prelimi- 
nary Articles  &  Definitive  Treaty  which  has 
greatly  compensated  for  all  my  other  Sacrifices. 

E  B/ 

Commissioners 
Private 

Amid  his  other  cares  he  finds  time  to  write 

TO    THE    HON.    ANDREW   ELLIOT. 

Princeton,  Oct.  29,  1783. 

Sir:  — 

Being  lately  informed  with  some  degree  of  cer- 
tainty, that  you  mean  to  leave  the  City  of  New 
York  for  Europe  with  the  British  Troops,  and  not 
knowine  whether  it  was  matter  of  choice  or  from 
any  apprehension  of  your  remaining  being  disa- 
greeable to  the  State,  permit  me  Sir,  to  ofifer  you 
any  services  in  my  power,  and  to  assure  that  as 
far  as  I  can  judge,  your  stay  will  be  both  agreeable 
and  pleasing  to  any  State  where  you  may  think 

O  1  Ellas  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


414  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 

proper  to  reside,  and  to  promise  that  I  will 
undertake  to  obtain  the  most  ample  acknowledge- 
ment of  this  Temper  from  the  Government  of 
either  of  the  States  you  may  think  proper  for  this 
purpose,  if  you  should  require  it:  having  been 
fully  convinced  of  the  rectitude  of  your  conduct 
throughout  the  late  disagreeable  contest  and 
having  experienced  the  happy  effects  of  your  lib- 
erality and  benevolence  to  multitudes  of  our  un- 
happy citizens  who  have  suffered  captivity  by  the 
fortune  of  war,  I  could  not  withhold  my  testimony 
to  your  goodness  and  contribute  my  mite  in  giving 
you  Election  as  to  your  residence  in  this  country 
as  far  as  was  in  my  power. 

I  have  the  honor  to  be  with  every  sentiment  of 
esteem,  &  respect.  Sir, 

Yours,  &c. 

E.    BoUDINOT.^ 

The  Honorable  Andrew  Elliot  Esq. 

New  York. 

BY   THE    UNITED    STATES    IN    CONGRESS    ASSEMBLED  : 

To  all  who  shall  see  these  presents,  send  greet- 
ing: Whereas,  Benjamin  Franklin,  our  Minister 
Plenipotentiary  at  the  Court  of  Versailles,  in  pur- 
suance of  the  powers  in  him  vested,  did,  on  the 
25th  day  of  February,  in  the  year  1783,  with 
Charles  Gravier  de  Vergennes,  &c.  Counsellor 
of  the  King  in  all  his  councils,  commander  of  his 
orders,  minister  and  secretary  of  State  &c.  vested 
with  full  power  of  his  most  Christian  Majesty  for 

1  Elias  Boudinot's  letter  book. 


PROCLAMATIONS.  4 1 5 

the  purpose,  enter  into,  conclude  and  sign  a  con- 
tract between  his  most  Christian  Majesty  and  the 
United  States  of  North  America,  in  the  words 
following,  viz  (Here  insert  the  contract  at  large) 

Now  know  ye.  That  we  the  said  United  States 
in  Congress  assembled,  impressed  with  a  lively 
sense  of  the  assistance  and  affection  manifested 
by  his  most  Christian  Majesty  in  the  above  con- 
tract, have  ratified  and  confirmed,  and  by  these 
presents  do  ratify  and  confirm  the  said  contract, 
and  every  article  thereof,  and  we  do  hereby  em- 
power our  minister  plenipotentiary  at  the  Court 
of  Versailles,  to  deliver  this  our  ratification  in 
exchange  for  the  ratification  of  the  said  contract 
on  the  part  of  his  most  Christian  Majesty.  In 
testimony  whereof,  we  have  caused  our  seal  to  be 
hereunto  affixed,  witness  his  Excellency  Elias 
Boudinot,  president,  this  3i^t  day  of  October, 
1783,  and  of  our  sovereignty  and  independence 
the  eighth/ 

BY    THE    UNITED    STATES    IN    CONGRESS   ASSEMBLED  : 

A   PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  it  hath  pleased  the  Supreme  Ruler 
of  all  human  events,  to  dispose  the  hearts  of  the 
late  belligerent  powers  to  put  a  period  to  the  effu- 
sion of  human  blood  by  proclaiming  a  cessation  of 
all  hostilities  by  Sea  and  land,  and  these  United 
States  are  not  only  happily  rescued  from  the  dan- 

1  Journal  of  Congress^  edition  of  1800,  vol.  viii.  p.  331. 


41 6  ELI  AS    BOUDINOT. 

gers  and  calamities  to  which  they  have  been  so 
long  exposed,  but  their  freedom,  sovereignty  and 
independence  ultimately  acknowledged.  And 
whereas  in  the  progress  of  a  contest  on  which  the 
most  essential  rights  of  human  nature  depended, 
the  interposition  of  Divine  Providence  in  our 
favour  hath  been  most  abundantly  and  most 
graciously  manifested,  and  the  citizens  of  these 
United  States  have  every  reason  for  praise  and 
gratitude  to  the  God  of  their  salvation.  Im- 
pressed, therefore,  with  an  exalted  sense  of  the 
blessings  by  which  we  are  surrounded,  and  of  our 
entire  dependence  on  that  Almighty  Being,  from 
whose  goodness  and  Bounty  they  are  derived,  the 
United  States  in  Congress  assembled,  do  recom- 
mend it  to  the  several  States,  to  set  apart  the 
second  Thursday  in  December  next,  as  a  day  of 
public  thanksgiving,  that  all  the  people  may  then 
assemble  to  celebrate  with  grateful  hearts  and 
united  voices,  the  praises  of  their  Supreme  and  all 
bountiful  Benefactor,  for  his  numberless  favours 
and  mercies.  That  he  hath  been  pleased  to  con- 
duct us  in  safety  through  all  the  perils  and  vicis- 
situdes of  the  war;  that  he  hath  given  us  una* 
nimity  and  resolution  to  adhere  to  our  just  rights, 
that  he  hath  raised  up  a  powerful  ally  to  assist  us 
in  supporting  them,  and  hath  so  far  crowned  our 
united  efforts  with  success,  that  in  the  course  of 
the  present  year,  hostilities  have  ceased,  and  we 
are  left  in  the  undisputed  possession  of  our  liberty 


PROCLAMATIONS.  4 1  7 

and  independence,  and  of  the  fruits  of  our  land^ 
and  in  the  free  participation  of  the  treasures  of 
the  sea ;  that  he  hath  prospered  the  labour  of  our 
husbandmen  with  plentiful  harvests ;  and  above 
all,  that  he  hath  been  pleased  to  continue  to  us 
the  light  of  the  blessed  gospel,  and  secured  to 
us  in  the  fullest  extent  the  rights  of  conscience 
in  faith  and  worship.  And  while  our  hearts  over- 
flow with  gratitude,  and  our  lips  set  forth  the 
praises  of  our  great  Creator,  that  we  also  offer 
up  fervent  supplications,  that  it  may  please  him 
to  pardon  all  our  offences,  to  give  wisdom  and 
unanimity  to  our  public  councils,  to  cement  all 
our  citizens  in  the  bonds  of  affection,  and  to  in- 
spfre  them  with  an  earnest  regard  for  the  national 
honor  and  interest,  to  enable  them  to  improve 
the  days  of  prosperity  by  every  good  work,  and 
to  be  lovers  of  peace  and  tranquillity,  that  he  may 
be  pleased  to  bless  us  in  our  husbandry,  our  com- 
merce and  navigation,  to  smile  upon  our  semi- 
naries and  means  of  education,  to  cause  pure 
religion  and  virtue  to  flourish,  to  give  peace  to 
all  nations  and  to  fill  the  world  with  his  glory. 

Done  by  the  United  States  in  Congress  as- 
sembled, witness  his  Excellency  Elias  Boudinot, 
our  president,  this  i8th  day  of  October,  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  1783,  and  of  the  sovereignty 
and  independence  of  the  United  States  of  Amer- 
ica the  eighth.^ 

1  Journal  of  Congress,  edition  of  1800,  vol.  viii.  p.  312. 


4t8  ^  ELIAS    BOUDINOT. 


BY   THE    UNITED    STATES    IN    CONGRESS    ASSEMBLED. 

A   PROCLAMATION. 

Whereas  in  the  progress  of  an  arduous  and 
difficult  war,  the  armies  of  the  United  States  of 
America,  have  eminently  displayed  every  military 
and  patriotic  virtue,  and  are  not  less  to  be  ap- 
plauded for  their  fortitude  and  magnanimity  in 
the  most  trying  scenes  of  distress,  than  for  a  series 
of  heroic  and  illustrious  achievements  which  exalt 
them  to  a  high  rank  among  the  most  zealous  and 
successful  defenders  of  the  rights  and  liberties  of 
mankind.  And  whereas  by  the  blessing  of  Di- 
vine Providence  on  our  cause  and  our  arms,  the 
glorious  period  is  arrived  when  our  national  inde- 
pendence and  sovereignty  are  established,  and  we 
enjoy  the  prospect  of  a  permanent  and  honorable 
peace ;  we  therefore,  the  United  States  in  Con- 
gress assembled,  thus  impressed  with  a  lively 
sense  of  the  distinguished  merit  and  good  con- 
duct of  the  said  armies,  do  give  them  the  thanks 
of  their  country,  for  their  long,  eminent,  and  faith- 
ful services.  And  it  is  our  will  and  pleasure,  that 
such  part  of  the  federal  armies  as  stand  engaged 
to  serve  during  the  war,  and  as  by  our  acts  of  the 
26"  day  of  May,  the  11"  day  of  June,  the  9"  day 
of  August,  and  the  26"  day  of  September  last, 
were  furloughed,  shall,  from  and  after  the  3d  day 
of  November  next,  be  absolutely  discharged  by 
virtue  of  this  our  proclamation  from  the  said  ser- 


PROCLAMATIONS.  4 1 9 

vice:  and  we  do  also  declare,  that  the  further 
services  in  the  field,  of  the  officers  who  are  de- 
ranged and  on  furlough  in  consequence  of  our 
aforesaid  acts,  can  now  be  dispenced  with,  and 
they  have  our  full  permission  to  retire  from  ser- 
vice, without  being  longer  liable  from  their  pre- 
sent engagements,  to  be  called  into  command. 
And  of  such  discharge  and  permission  to  retire 
from  service  respectively,  all  our  officers,  civil  and 
military,  and  all  others  whom  it  may  concern,  are 
required  to  take  notice,  and  to  govern  themselves 
accordingly. 

Given  under  the  seal  of  the  United  States  in 
Congress  assembled,  witness  his  excellency  Elias 
Boudinot,  our  president  in  Congress,  this  18"  day 
of  October  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1783,  and  of 
the  sovereignty  and  independence  of  the  United 
States  of  America  the  eighth.^ 

1  Journal  of  Congress^  edition  of  1800,  vol.  viii.  p.  213. 


i 


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